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rjh wrote on 02/25/2010:

Played at the 2009 Sydney MG Film Festival.

Doco style, given by Don Bachardy himself, along with others, recounting their journey to today.

A fantastic insight into what can be described as an intimate inside perspective of a charmed life of two very talented men.

If only standards and life still existed like that today. I genuinley felt i had missed a period of time that will never be seen again.

This would make a great addition to your library.

JANORM wrote on 10/17/2009:

Nothing could have prepared me for this epic story of love! I had heard about it via "The Advocate," in an article published. Of all the films I have seen or even witnessed, this story has to be one of the most poignant to ever be told! The real and true survival of this love, shows that true love, can and does conqueror all! This is one story that literally begs to be made into a screen epic. Nothing, so far as I have seen, will present to the public the real and emotional love between two men, as this remarkable story has shown. I think, what is so unfathomable, is the the age difference in these men. This is one movie that all gay men should view as a requirement! It is the ultimate lesson in love and life in today's society. This is a classic in a genera by itself and should be owned by every gay man! LOVE, TRUE LOVE, KNOWS NO BOUNDS OR LIMITS! NJMJr!

Amos Lassen wrote on 12/06/2008:

“Chris and Don: A Love Story”
Sharing Love
Amos Lassen
“Chris and Don: A Love Story” is just that—a beautiful love story that tells of the feelings shared between Christopher Isherwood and Don Bachardy and it is as romantic as it is filled with the history of our lives. The two men fell in love long before gay marriage was ever thought about. Their love began one day on a beach in Malibu, California and lasted until Isherwood died in 1986. This is one of the most beautiful films I have ever seen and it is the documentary of a great romance.
Christopher Isherwood was a noted author who is primarily famous for his book “Berlin Stories” which was adapted for stage and film as “Cabaret”. He was born in England in 1904 and at the age of 25 he moved to Germany to be with his friend, W.H. Auden. He stayed there until the Nazi party made life uncomfortable for gay men and he came to America in 1939 where he found sexy men and eastern religions. But it was not until 1956 when the love between Chris and Don began. In this feature length documentary we see the remarkable lives of the two men and there is a lot of never seen before footage which was shot by the two including interviews with Liza Minelli and Leslie Caron. The two lived their lives together openly and proudly and did not care about controversy and this was at a time when gay relationships were not accepted. Bachardy was simply an artist while Isherwood was a member of the literati and Don often felt as if he was disregarded by his lover’s famous friends. He had to realize that he had to function independently and this caused him to question whether to stay in the relationship or not but he realized that his love for his partner was too great to walk away from. The two attempted projects together and in 1981 when Chris was diagnosed with prostate cancer, Bachardy nursed him through the disease and through the last six months of his life. Bachardy decided to paint only Isherwood and this became the two men’s project.
Again I must remind you that the two men were lovers at a time when this kind of relationship was not acceptable and the movie could have showed their love as scandalous and unusual but the directors, Guido Santi and Tina Mascara give us the men’s love as sophisticated and gentle as well as perfectly natural. The men shared a sentimental love which involved an artistic exchange that comes close to art itself. The film is cinematically innovative and touching and romantic and as a documentary it is emotionally involving and it is absolutely true. It never indulges in the issues of homosexuality and it looks at the love between Chris and Don as natural and unaffected. It is an ordinary story of passion which shows two people sharing both emotionally and artistically and their love is pure. Footage is mixed with current and archival film as well as cartoons and the result is beauty. The film abounds with intimate details and we see Don is still thriving at 74.
A lot is covered in the film including not only sexuality but aging and death, spirituality, literature and art, celebrities and alternative life styles, tragedy, mental health, drug use and so much more but above all is the theme of love—love that is pure and simple. There is a wealth of first hand material and the legacy of the love of the two men is so rich and beautiful that I find myself tearing up as I write this review.
What great timing for this movie—our country is now deciding whether or not it should legalize same sex marriage and this movie further shows proof that such unions should be sanctioned. There is no agenda in the movie except to show us how love transcends all and this love story is so real and so powerful that you cannot help but feel good. It will open your eyes and it will break your heart as it shows a growth of artistic confidence as a young man, Don, with no strong vision is loved and thereby encouraged to find his way. Here is a movie that could have been sordid yet it emerges as a thing of beauty and a testament to love. If you see no other documentary this year, make sure this is the one you do see.

Frameline Fan wrote on 11/19/2008:

Caught this doc at the SF LGBT festival w/ Mr. Bachardy and the filmmakers in attendance. Of the many dozens of documentaries I've seen at this fest over the years, this one is in the top five. The charming home movies and animations add depth and texture to a moving, inspirational love story. That they were out for 20 years before Stonewall is astonishing, but as the two men's characters emerge it becomes easier to understand how they thrived in the homophobic '50s and 60s. They were never political, but the stand they took by openly loving each other is a political testament anyway. This would make a great coming-out gift to a youngster who doubts loving longevity is possible or to anyone needing a dose of optimism. Be sure to watch it w/ your straight friends, too!