Speaking to OUT magazine about the upcoming LGBT rights biopic, ‘Freeheld’ – Julianne Moore said that Ellen Page opened her eyes to the painful experience of being closeted.

Freeheld tells the real life story of Laurel Hester – a police detective who was diagnosed with a terminal illness who fought to have her pension benefits left to her domestic partner, Stacie Andree (Ellen Page).

Speaking about the role, Moore said she was inspired and enlightened by her co-star, who famously came out very publicly last year.

“Ellen had so recently come out, and this is going to sound silly, and hopefully not hurtful, but I don’t think I was aware of how painful it is to be closeted,” she said.

“I have the advantage of being a person who’s never had to hide my sexuality, so I asked her a lot of questions – frank questions – about what that feels like.

“She said she felt discomfort simply wearing all these dresses, and it was all very eye-opening for me. She was so unprotective [of herself] – I was very touched by that. It definitely made me more sensitive to the nuances of our movie.”

Freeheld also stars Steve Carrell and is hotly tipped to win big come Oscar season.

Check out the emotional trailer: