Who would ever imagine that one of the most moving love stories to emerge on the screen this year would be one of non-fiction and one involving a gay couple with an age difference of 30 years? 

Directors Tina Mascara and Guido Santi’s full length documentary is told from the point of view from the still surviving younger Don Bachardy, now in his senior years, relating his story to the camera most of the film’s running time.

The film is divided into 3 parts, the first on the background of Chris, then Don’s followed by their lives together till Chris’ death from prostrate cancer.  As the film unfolds, the audience is brought to understand the tough homophobic times the couple went through besides the difficulties in overcoming the barriers of age and social status (Chris came from upper class society Britain and Don was American working class).  The problems and almost separation of the two are not left in the story.  The physical and emotional pain of Chris’ dying days forms the film’s most moving segments. The inclusion of animation - drawings of the horse (Chris is the horse) and the cat (Don) – provide not only a light touch but humor to the story.

Chris Isherwood is most famous for writing BERLIN STORIES from which the musical and film CABARET is based.  This explains the part narration by Michael York, the lead opposite Liza Minnelli in the film.  Famous interviewees Leslie Caron, John Boorman and Liza Minnelli provide insight to the relationship.

The archive footages are effectively put together.  For example when the narrator speaks of the death of Chris’ father during the First World War, half-minute footages show old newsreel bombings and a coffin (probably not the actual dad’s) lowered into a grave.  Still shots (of Joseph Cotten) and clips of films (CABARET) are unobtrusively added in as the story is told.

The film proves that true love exists in real life despite adversity.  It also shows that hard work and true devotion is required in a long term relationship – gay or straight.  CHRIS & DON. A LOVE STORY is the best romantic movie this year.