About the Film:

This compelling documentary tracks the five year legal battle to overturn California’s ban on same sex marriage.

It is absorbing and illuminating viewing for all those interested in LGBT, civil rights and constitutional issues, as well as in how our judicial system works.

David Rooney in The Hollywood Reporter, January 25, 2014, points out that this was:

“…one of the most widely discussed and divisive cases in recent history, and its reverberations continue,” and that:

“Co-directors Ben Cotner and Ryan White distill the dense legal process into a lucid narrative while illuminating the human drama of the plaintiffs, and by extension, the countless gay men and lesbians they represent. That, makes for a stirring civil rights film that is both cogent and emotionally charged.”

While we awaited the Supreme Court ruling – which came the next day, this film provided us an absorbing insight into the process of constructing an effective legal strategy and arguments, from the selection of plaintiffs through to the arguments at the Supreme Court:

“…the rollercoaster legal odyssey provides an uplifting demonstration of functioning bi-partisanship, something exceedingly rare in American politics. The leading conservative lawyer Ted Olsen shocked right-wing pundits by agreeing to represent the California plaintiffs. Even more startling was Olson’s decision to reach across the aisle and bring on board his liberal counterpart, David Boies, as co-counsel. That the two men had been on opposite sides of the Bush v. Gore case in 2000 would team up to champion the rights of gay men and lesbians still seems almost surreal.”

More generally:

The film provides an intimate and vivid account of the process of choosing and representing the plaintiffs and developing effective legal arguments and a trial strategy. The twists and turns in the case make it compelling viewing. While it shows some examples of and insights in the hostility this campaign faced, its tone is positive and its message uplifting: and the day after our Film Night, the Supreme Court ruled in their favor! And yes, we planned to screen the film during the week when we expected the ruling.