Chris & Don: A Love Story

Released Jun 13, 2008

1h 30m

Documentary

List

94%

36 Reviews

Tomatometer

85%

250+ Ratings

Audience Score

This poignant documentary presents the story behind the real-life romance between lauded writer Christopher Isherwood and his considerably younger partner, Don Bachardy. Not even 20 years old when he meets Isherwood, Bachardy becomes a respected artist, thanks, in part, to his lover's support. An openly gay couple during an era when homosexuals often remained closeted, Isherwood and Bachardy face plenty of challenges, but they see each other through hard times with commitment and love.

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Critics Consensus

Chris and Don paints an affecting, enlightening portrait of a one-of-a-kind love affair.

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Wesley Morris

Boston Globe

Rated: 2/4

Nov 24, 2011

Full Review

Hank Sartin

Time Out

Rated: 4/5

Nov 18, 2011

Full Review

Melissa Anderson

Time Out

Rated: 3/5

Nov 17, 2011

Full Review

Don Willmott

Filmcritic.com

A wonderfully crafted documentary about a most unusual long-term relationship

Rated: 3.5/5

Mar 8, 2009

Full Review

Fr. Chris Carpenter

Orange County and Long Beach Blade

A great, revealing documentary; one of the best films released in 2008

Rated: A-

Feb 27, 2009

Full Review

Sarah Boslaugh

Playback:stl

Long before anyone was talking about gay marriage, that's what Christopher Isherwood and Don Bachardy had

Rated: 9/10

Sep 19, 2008

Full Review

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Audience Member

Well done. What an interesting film about love and interesting lives.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Fascinating, intimate portrait of Christopher Isherwood and Don Bachardy.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I really don't like the stereotypes, but what more could have been expected in emotionally hobbled earlier eras? Sad and uplifting at the same time.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A beautiful portrait of two remarkable men and their life together. Perfect.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Extremely moving - a true love story that looks past gender and age and focuses on what truly matters in life ... love.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/29/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Fascinating: Isherwood's feelings for Bachardy, both sweetly romantic and creepily paternal, border on pederasty. Bachardy seems in many ways to be more interested in what Isherwood has to offer as a mentor than as a lover. If the relationship were carried out today, most would view it unfavorably. More fascinating still is that they're fairly forgivable in context, since having children and carrying on a long-term homosexual relationship simultaneously was unthinkable when the two met. So the film manages to be thought-provoking, provocative and sweet all at once.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/14/23

Full Review

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Tina Mascara

Director

Guido Santi

Director

James Berg

Host

John Boorman

Host

Paul Bowles

Host

Don Bachardy

Host

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Synopsis

This poignant documentary presents the story behind the real-life romance between lauded writer Christopher Isherwood and his considerably younger partner, Don Bachardy. Not even 20 years old when he meets Isherwood, Bachardy becomes a respected artist, thanks, in part, to his lover's support. An openly gay couple during an era when homosexuals often remained closeted, Isherwood and Bachardy face plenty of challenges, but they see each other through hard times with commitment and love.

Director: Tina Mascara, Guido Santi
Distributor: Zeitgeist
Production Co: Asphalt Stars Productions
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 13, 2008, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 17, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $212.8K
Runtime: 1h 30m

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