By Amanda Gilmore
My Policeman follows Tom (Harry Styles) a young policeman who has conformed to the social expectations of 1950s Britain. When he meets Schoolteacher Marion (Emma Corrin) she is immediately smitten with him and the two begin a relationship. However, their world changes when they meet museum curator Patrick (David Dawson). Tom and Patrick fall in love during a time when it was forbidden to do so. Decades later, in 1999, the three (Linus Roache, Gina McKee, and Rupert Everett) must confront their painful past to move toward their future.
The Film works best as a study on memory and wasted time. Screenwriter Ron Nyswaner weaves the story of the three through their twenties and then meets them again decades later. In 1999, we get to see the guilt that Marion (McKee) and Tom (Roache) have carried with them. This guilt has kept them tied unhappily together. Through this, we witness that itās never too late to forgive yourself and start a life that will make you happy.
Further, itās through the weaving of the time frames that we see this forbidden love through changing social conventions. When Tom and Patrick meet, their love is illegal. They have no choice but to hide. Therefore, we understand where Tomās mixed emotions of anger, passion, sadness and regret come from. Itās a performance that shows the range Styles has. While Patrick, an outstanding Dawson, longs to have a future where he doesnāt have to share Tom. Then thereās Corrin who gives a stellar performance as Marion who tries to hold onto the life sheās only ever imagined for herself. We see their wants and desires back in the ā50s and why Tom and Patrick couldnāt be together. Then we are brought to 1999 when things began changing for the Community. We see the changing views reflected in the adult characters.
My Policeman is a touching story of love, memory and time.
My Policeman screens as follows at TIFF ā22:
Sun, Sep 11 IN-PERSON at Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre at 6:30 pm
Mon, Sep 12 IN-PERSON at Scotiabank Theatre at 12:00 pm
Fri, Sep 16 IN-PERSON at Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre at 2:00 pm
Sat, Sep 17 IN-PERSON at Royal Alexandra Theatre at 1:30 pm
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