Watch Loggerheads

Loggerheads is a touching drama released in 2005 depicting different events happening in the lives of three people; a biological mother, a gay couple, and young man, and how they come together in the course of the movie. The movie centers on three interconnected stories played out simultaneously. Firstly, there is Mark, played by Kip Pardue, a male hustler residing in New York but with a mission to connect with his past. Mark was adopted and abandoned as a baby, and his search for closure leads him south to North Carolina where his birth mother lives. He develops a close relationship with George, played by Michael Kelly, who becomes more of a father figure to Mark than his birth mother.

Secondly, there's Elizabeth, played by Tess Harper; a woman whose love and loss of her son sets her on a therapeutic path of saving the endangered Loggerhead turtle. She inadvertently crosses both Mark and George's paths through her work with the turtles.

Finally, there's Mark and George, a gay couple who are attempting to adopt a baby but whose application is refused due to societal norms and biases against gay couples being allowed to adopt.

Throughout the movie, these stories intertwined to form a moving narrative. The director, Tim Kirkman, used a simple but effective approach to move the story along. He employed an easy-on-the-eye cinematography, melodious piano sounds at critical junctures, and seamless conversation. It's these features that make Loggerheads a subtle yet powerful storytelling movie.

The Casting and Acting is one of the highlights of the movie. Kip Pardue's character, Mark, starts off a bit rough around the edges but evolves throughout the movie to become more vulnerable, at times so vulnerable that the viewer can't but empathize with him. Michael Kelly, who plays George, crafted an emotionally engaging character who comes across as genuine and sincere. He brings to life the role of a man whose love for his partner is so strong that it has to be seen to be believed. Lastly, Tess Harper delivers a remarkable performance as Elizabeth, having brought out her character's heartaches and pain in losing her son.

An added bonus to the film is its exploration of many current issues such as the struggle of the LGBTQ community and the rights of adoptive parents. It's a heart-touching movie that questions societal norms, family values, and the politics of adoption rights.

The plot takes its time building up its characters, sometimes a little too slowly but not so much that it becomes monotonous. It manages to capture the audience's attention as the director explores the lives of the main protagonists, delving into their respective struggles, and weaving their stories together. Although some viewers might find Loggerheads slow-paced, the movie's storyline is engaging.

The theme of the Loggerhead turtle that Elizabeth helps save at the beach sets the tone for the movie. Just as the Loggerhead turtle faces a battle for survival against the odds, so do the characters in the movie. There are many threats to their well-being, be it societal norms that oppose gay adoption, abandonment or rejection in the adoption process, or the difficulties of a biological mother reconnecting with her relinquished child. Ultimately, each has to fight to survive, to find hope and to come to terms with their emotions.

In conclusion, Loggerheads is a movie that takes its audiences on a moving journey of self-discovery, redemption, and love. It's a movie that wins the heart of its audience through its storytelling, strong performances, and touching themes. It may not be a blockbuster in its yarning, but it delivers its message with mesmerizing simplicity. A simple story, told beautifully, with strong acting talent makes Loggerheads a must-watch for fans of gentle drama.

Loggerheads is a 2005 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2 and a MetaScore of 62.