Pat Henschel and Terry Donahue met at a hockey rink in Saskathewan, Canada, in 1947. Terry was on a break at the time from playing in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, the wartime alternative to men’s sports that inspired the Geena Davis and Madonna movie, A League Of Their Own. A Secret Love tells the story of Pat and Terry’s 70-year relationship, told from the point of a momentous change in their present; their declining health means they need a new home, and they struggle to find a place where they can live together happily, comfortably and affordably as out lesbians.
The movie, and Pat and Terry themselves, are endlessly charming: I could watch them flirt and bicker all day. “Everybody loves Terry,” Pat says at one point; “they all put up with me because of Terry.” But I have no doubt viewers will fall in love with both of them.
At times, it’s frustrating that the movie focuses more on their family than the couple themselves—though understandable, as the movie was directed by their great-nephew. Even the title focuses more on the family’s perspective than the incredible love at the heart of the movie.
But whenever we do focus on Pat and Terry, the movie is deeply moving. It is painful to watch them struggle to find something they can afford that will meet their needs. There’s an excruciating scene where a well-meaning, shiny-haired retirement village manager blithely dismisses their concerns about potential homophobia. But these difficult scenes highlight the power and intensity of their lifelong love.
If you don’t mind a good cry, this is a wonderful and moving story that highlights the housing difficulties older LGBTI people face.
A Secret Love is currently streaming on Netflix.