Sundance review: "Keep the Lights On"

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"Keep the Lights On"

U.S. Dramatic

*** (three stars)

Raw in its emotional impact and sexuality, writer-director Ira Sachs' romantic drama "Keep the Lights On" follows the long arc of two gay men – Erik (Thure Lindhardt), a Danish documentary filmmaker in New York, and Paul (Zachary Booth), a lawyer for a publishing house – through a decade-long relationship. That relationship is marked with love, betrayal, and the damage done by Paul's addiction to crack. Sachs (whose Sundance resume includes "The Delta" in 1997 and the Grand Jury Prize winner "40 Shades of Blue" in 2002) captures Erik's yearning for Paul and Paul's addiction-induced indifference with equal force. The actors fearlessly bare both bodies and hearts in this powerful and honest drama.

— Sean P. Means

"Keep the Lights On" screens again:

Monday, Jan. 23, 11:30 a.m., Library Center Theatre, Park City

Wednesday, Jan. 25, 12:15 p.m., Eccles Theatre, Park City

Thursday, Jan. 26, 3 p.m., Egyptian Theatre, Park City

Friday, Jan. 27, 9 p.m., Salt Lake City Library, Salt Lake City