John Lithgow and Alfred Molina Star in Gay Love Story Love Is Strange

After receiving a standing ovation at the Sundance Film Festival, Love Is Strange, a gay love story featuring veteran actors John Lithgow and Alfred Molina, will be released via Sony Pictures Classics, reports Deadline Hollywood.

The film, directed by Ira Sachs, focuses on a recently married New York City couple who, due to Alfred Molina's character losing his job as a choir director at Catholic school, must move in with their friends and family in Brooklyn.

The movie was praised at the film festival, with Variety saying that the "beautifully observed ensembler shines on the strength of its two leads."

Both Lithgow and Molina have a history of portraying queer characters on screen. Lithgow was nominated for an Academy Award for his portrayal of a transgender ex-football player in George Roy Hill's The World According to Garp. Molina starred as gay writer Kenneth Halliwell in Stephen Frears's acclaimed Prick Up Your Ears.

Don't be surprised if the film's plot sounds familiar. Several news items in recent months have featured faculty fired for being gay as well as student protests to have their instructors reinstated.