Posted at 10:30 a.m.
This film adaptation of a book published by British novelist Bethan Roberts 10 years ago emanates the impression of a strange feeling. A bit as if this feature film, correctly directed by Michael Grandage (genius), arrived too late, already crushed under the weight of all these (excellent) dramas set at a time when homosexual liaisons were prohibited by law in Great Britain. And strongly suppressed. We think of Another Country (Marek Kanievska), Mauritius (James Ivory), Ammonite (Francis Lee) and many more…
Camped in Brighton, a pretty seaside resort in the south of England, the story of My Policeman takes place in two distinct eras, with two different trios of actors. Tom (Harry Styles), a young policeman in Brighton in the 1950s, is seduced by Patrick (David Dawson), but nevertheless marries Marion (Emma Corrin), a woman with whom he is also in love. Forty years later, the triangle is reformed when Patrick (Rupert Everett), now disabled, is invited by Marion (Gina McKee) to live with her and Tom (Linus Roach), the latter being however very refractory to this arrangement. .
The two periods of the story do not coexist well. And if the director allows himself more direct love scenes between the two men, the emotional connection between the characters is more difficult. This story, the outcome of which we guess from afar, thus leaves us at a distance. Let’s highlight the very beautiful final scene, which alone evokes how three lives were wasted.
In his second major film role, Harry Styles, let’s say it, hardly convinces more than in Don’t Worry Darling. Its performance is not catastrophic, but not transcendent either. The sequel will tell us if a real acting career awaits the pop star.
Launched at the Toronto festival, My Policeman is available now exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.
Drama
My Policeman
Michael Grandage
Starring Harry Styles, Emma Corrin, David Dawson
1:53 On Amazon Prime Video