Tying the Knot

Synopsis: One of the hottest topics at the 2004 Presidential election was the issue of gay marriage and whether it should be legalized. Jim de Sève directs this fascinating look at the issue, taking into account two extremely important cases. The first involves Mickie, who loses her wife during a bank robbery. With the authorities unwilling to recognize their union, Mickie is stripped of the usual benefits bestowed on a widower. De Sève's second case looks at the life of a rancher named Sam, who lost his husband and faces brutal recriminations from the family of his deceased partner. TYING THE KNOT presents these cases in a sympathetic light, showing how hurtful these situations can be to the bereaved, as well as highlighting how things would be different if the gay community enjoyed the freedoms afforded to straight married couples. A bold piece of filmmaking that runs the full gamut of human emotions, De Sève offers a clear and concise case for a change in the marriage law.     Source: RottenTomatoes.com