From director Michael Grandage comes My Policeman, an adaptation of Bethan Roberts' novel of the same name. Set both in 1950s and 1990s Brighton, while being viewed through a 21st century lens, My Policeman explores the evolution of homophobia throughout Britain and the damage of secrets. Starring Harry Styles, Emma Corrin and David Dawson, with Linus Roache, Gina McKee and Rupert Everett playing their older counterparts respectively, My Policeman's decade-spanning love story hopes to achieve a wide-reaching appeal.
PC Tom Burgess and schoolteacher Marion Taylor appear smitten with one another as young love blossoms by the seaside. But Tom's homosexual tendencies are fully-realised when he meets Patrick Hazlewood, and the pair begin a passionate illicit affair, punishable by 1950s law. The trio's friendship will never be the same when secrets are revealed.
Michael Grandage's My Policeman sensitively tells a story of British society and frames it in a way that will be accessible by younger audiences. Grandage does well to portray the evolution of the homophobia within British society, but delves even deeper to depict the scars it leaves on those who experienced it as its most harmful. Weaving such context into the tale really provides it with a texture that elevates the entire feature length, with Grandage bringing to it a personal touch informed by his own experiences that paints to an even richer portrait of the era and times. If at times it feels slow moving, it seems to be purposeful, drawing us into the world these characters inhabit as their feelings and emotions swirl.
There's an elegance to the way My Policeman operators that truly imbues it with a beauty that reflect the film at its strongest: these softer, more intimate moments demonstrate a feature crafted with a level of care, thanks mostly to the way cinematographer Ben Davis shoots the film, with beauty to every frame. Steven Price's delicately rousing score enhances the picture and will bolster a strong career of work even further.
Adapted for the screen by Ron Nyswaner, the screenplay is a somewhat uneven endeavour: we exploring some poignant, at times heavy, themes and it does so with a firm resolution of depicting them in a thoughtful manner. But at times the dialogue can be so contrived that it removes you from the moment, tripping up the actors in the process. In particular, the script should have worked to strengthen the relationship between Marion and Patrick, with a lot left untapped that could bridge the gap (and audience understanding) between the two halves.
Nothing reflects the mixed success of My Policeman more than the cast, who perform to varying degrees of success. David Dawson is shoulders above his co-stars with a powerful, heartfelt and devastating performance of a man attempting to live as authentically as possible in a time that won't allow it. Imbued with a genuine emotion that inspires an empathy that makes his somewhat unkind behaviour understandable, Dawson elevates the performers around him valiantly, showcasing real talent and skill. McKee's capable performance in the later timeline carries that side of the storytelling, while Everett is underused but solid.
On to the most pressing issue of the piece for many: Harry Styles' acting. His credentials have been questioned and despite rocky work in Don't Worry Darling, there was still the sense that he had promise an actor with a little more experience and development. Unfortunately, it is difficult to deny that this as a bad performance. There are moments of tenderness in his work and when Styles the Celebrity peaks through, he is an endearing presence in the film - but when he has to contend with the emotional weight of the text, he collapses under the pressure. His line delivery is stilted and he is really shown up, especially opposite Dawson.
Emma Corrin (terrific in the forthcoming Lady Chatterley's Lover) surprisingly struggles here. She has got an unfortunate end of the stick - weighted down by Styles and with the least developed character of the trio - but her performance can feel strained in a manner she has more control over, and she is never able to take the character in an inspiring direction.
My Policeman has a strong director at its helmer, moments of heartfelt tenderness and David Dawson's wonderful performance on its side, but the weaker performances from certain cast members and strained dialogue work against it. It is the very definition of a mixed bag of a film - but one that ultimately leans positive in how thoughtfully it explores its thematic and contextual ground.