Inspired by the private life of 'Maurice' writer E.M. Forster, this elegant 1950s English romance novel co-stars Emma Corrin as a mid-century wife married to a man who loves someone else.
The English novelist E.M. Forster never married, and why would he? The author of "Maurice" and "Howards End" was gay and was reportedly in a relationship with a much younger police officer for four decades. That man got married, and the story goes that his wife knew his secret. In "My Policeman," this offbeat arrangement lends itself nicely to one of those slightly stuffy but respectable period pieces of the sort that Ismail Merchant and James Ivory have made of Forster's novels, skipping back and forth in time between the sexy stuff and the maudlin way is resolved so many years later.
It all begins with a special delivery in a sad cabin by the sea: an invalid arrives at the home of retired policeman Tom and his wife, the school teacher Marion. It was her idea to take in the unpleasant and largely uncooperative Patrick Hazelwood, whose presence clearly annoys her husband. Wanting nothing to do with this troublesome old acquaintance, Tom disappears for long walks while Marion deals with his demands.
Aside from bringing together "Wings of the Dove" stars Everett and Roache, the contemporary framing device does little more than slow the flow of more lively, and sometimes downright passionate, flashbacks as Tom and Marion were married for the first time and spent a lot of time dating Tom's more cultured friend, Patrick , a museum curator and amateur artist. Patrick appears to be a decade older than Tom, and while Marion is worldly enough to feel like it could be fun in that way, she doesn't suspect her boyfriend is her mistress.
Director: Michael Grandage
Writers: Ron Nyswaner, Bethan Roberts
Stars: Harry Styles, Emma Corrin, Gina McKee
“Philadelphia” writer Ron Nyswaner's screenplay, which he adapted from the Bethan Roberts novel, with Michael Grandage directing, shapes this mystery somewhat oddly, as audiences presumably knows it's a love triangle intrigue, and Marion harbors some guilt for her role in what happened, but the filmmakers still want there to be a sense of surprise and discovery while peel the artichoke one leaf at a time. To that end, the present-day Marion gives herself permission to snoop through Patrick's possessions and discovers old diaries that corroborate what she's always suspected about him, including glimpses of what gay life was like at the time: clubbing, hookups. the back. alleys, risking arrest or assault if caught.
“My Policeman” comes to life during its segments set in the 1950s, first focusing on the origins of Tom and Marion's relationship before diving further into the past to reveal how Patrick got there first, beating up the delightfully innocent young cop. with the line: “You know, I'm an amateur artist. When Tom shows up a short time later to be drawn, he is wearing his full uniform, but not for long. Patrick follows suit, and the subsequent sex scenes are tender but genuine, and they don't skimp on the nudity, which is somewhat surprising, since the film seems to have been made for audiences that identify with Marion more than any of these mens.
What gives that away? Well, much of the film is told from her point of view, and even the flashbacks, which unfold with what she reads in Patrick's diaries, reflect the naivete with which their marriage began. At that moment, Tom seemed very shy. He is terribly clumsy and unenthusiastic in bed. But he proposes to her, and it feels like the life she wanted, even if it's all too much when Patrick shows up during their honeymoon to cook them a meal and confront Tom in the shed. One of Marion's friends clearly knows the sheet music, which gives the camera a conspiratorial look during the wedding.
The current part of "My Policeman" is all about what's left unresolved, like the movie "Atonement" with everything so much sadder: the settings, costumes and such are perfectly period appropriate, just a bit more gray and moth. of what we could want. Unfortunately, the older actors don't have much to do, but the younger trio are strong, if restrained, in their roles. Corrin, as good as a betrayed wife in "The Crown," could play this role in her sleep, while Styles has the difficult task of making Tom's betrayal feel tragic for everyone involved.
Watch My Policeman 2022 Movie Trailer
Comments
Post a Comment