Two aging, long-time partners in New York City who happen to be gay take advantage of their newly won right to marry, but probably expected a somewhat happier-ever-after married life than they get.

It seems their official tying of the knot has forced the Catholic church where the principal wage earner serves as choirmaster to let him go. The sudden loss of income leads to them having to give up their cherished apartment, which in turn makes it necessary for them to temporarily but separately crash – and clash – with friends and relatives.

Despite their long and distinguished careers in the movie business, John Lithgow and Alfred Molina turn in some of their best, wisest work in this warm, seriocomic piece of cinematic counter-programming. To call this a gay love story would be to limit its scope. It’s about all of us. You may recognize in some of the characters people you know, or would like to. Supporting cast includes Marisa Tomei and Darren Burrows.

This is not what you’d call a dynamic movie. Nothing happens fast, and it focuses on those smaller, intimate moments in between life’s big emotional events. It’s a film for grownups. The performances are unshowy, the challenges mundane. Your patience is required but enormously (if subtly) rewarded, and the restraint exhibited by these two pros, along with the measured, thoughtful direction by Ira Sachs, enhances the film’s power. Lovely, poignant soundtrack by Chopin. (94 min)