This one's a beautiful, tender, quiet romantic drama with a moody atmosphere, set in a tight knit Welsh fishing community. It's a touching story about a man waking up sexually in the middle of his life, and how he, his family, and everyone around him deal with it, which makes it emotional and sentimental without ever getting over the top. The slow burn plays out against a landscape that's as bleak as it is gorgeous, where quiet, closed off men are stuck inside rigid ideas of what masculinity should be. Some people might be reminded of "God's Own Country," but I think both films are lovely in their own way. Jack is a middle aged guy who co-owns a mussel farm with his rough around the edges brother Dyfan, and the tension between the two of them is simmering under the surface right from the start. Dyfan's three sons all help out with the work, while Jack's sulky teenage son Tom keeps skipping out. Jack's been with his wife since they were both 16, and...
Dave is a young teacher in a very Christian college, who has string resentment against LGBT people, even more stronger since his wife left him for another woman. He is asked by his dean to go check out this group of outcasts, who are in the process of trying to purchase a property that the college also wants to acquire. When Dave finds out that it is an LGBT group, he is initially shocked but continues to visit thereby getting exposed to a very loving community of individuals and what are their challenges. He meets Samantha, a straight girl and activist helping this group for this property, whose brother was brutally murdered for being gay and advocate. At the same time, Dave is challenged by one of his students Nate that make him constantly question his beliefs. The group tries hard but are unsuccessful in acquiring the property but Dave's late aunt leaves her home for this group, where people can be who they are.
The film started with showing Dave as a dickhead but slowly you warm upto him. He is aware of the hypocrisy surrounding him, especially when the Dean of the college plays double games and worse when he suspends Nate from college. He wants to understand and be supportive but at the same time he struggles to take responsibility of his actions, including teaching his students to hate LGBT folks. The film gets a bit stretched when we meet many individuals who go over their stories of struggle. This scene is important because this is when the first hint of change in Dave is seen but is too long. I really liked the idea that everyone in the support group instantly saw through Dave, realizing that he wasn't gay, but embracing him anyway. This is a touching yet funny insight into people who yearn to be closer to God and a faith that wants to keep them away. But like I said, real life things are not that easy. But that doesn't mean we can't hope. Good theme, but too stretched to come to the point where it can make a maximum impact on the audience.
The film is more about celebration of who you are and if seen objectively, it is not hard to understand and appreciate the struggles of LGBT community. It questions our beliefs that everything doesn't have to be black or white worldview. (5.5/10)
Comments