Plainclothes

Plainclothes is a gripping film that effectively captures the tension of 1990s gay identity and the struggles of remaining in the closet. The film's electric tension utilizes grainy VHS style narration at multiple places probably trying for the audience to visualize the fear and anxiety that our protagonist is going through. Set in Syracuse in 90's the film is told from the perspective of an undercover cop.

Lucas is a closeted gay cop assigned to special task force in the local mall to its bathroom, a known gay pick-up spot. The special police unit entrap the gays and arrest them for violation of the sex code and given Lucas' youthful and good looks , his job is to to find such folks, trap them and then his partner would arrest the guy. His family has a loving mother, a sick father and Uncle Paul. He recently broke off with his girlfriend, who is th only person he confided in the fact that he actually maybe attracted to guys. What happens though is that Lucas ends up falling for one of his targets Andrew, ho is even more deeply closeted than Lucas. Both characters have good reasons for leading their double lives, but can't seem to quit each other, even though Andrew has a strict rule about not having sex with anyone more than once. They start meeting in movie theatre, at hikes while Andrew making it clear that he cannot see Lucas again, despite them both having a clear chemistry. Lucas first starts to get fearful if Andrew may get arrested one day, but he also starts to get a conscious and quits his job. This cop story is told through multiple flashbacks, while he is spending time with his family after his father's death. When the truth about Andrew is revealed, it shocks us as audience. In a gut wrenching finale, we see how Lucas eventually musters up courage to come out to his mother, the one person who he genuinely cares about.

The non-linear narrative, as well as the use of lo-fi VHS footage to denote the paranoia, doubt, dread, and even excitement that Lucas feels, is supremely effective. But at the same time, it occasionally feels like a strategy to mislead. At various points I was confused as to what's present or past or whether things are going on in synergy. Maybe I missed that. But whatever it maybe, through various multiple methods, the film has plenty intense and nerve wrecking scenes where you can feel the stress and fear that Lucas is going through. The editing is marvelous. It also builds to an intense and ultimately cathartic climax, but there’s something retrograde about the shame Lucas feels. Actor playing Lucas is fantastic. A mix of horny confusion at work and clinginess at play. At home, with his repressive family, he's a ticking time bomb. He is superb. Similarly Andrew is great. In one of the finale scenes, when he, in his own way, talks about his pain to Lucas and suggests that things will slowly get better and that the frequency of pain will eventually reduce, you cannot help but feel for the community from 90s. And also be grateful for how far we have come from those times. Both actors bring a sensitivity to their roles that allows the audience to witness two contrasting perspectives on the gay experience in the 1990s. Both performances feel raw, deeply affecting, and essential to the film’s emotional depth. The film may sound depressing, but there are enough scenes that gives one hope. Andrew ultimately shows kindness and generosity beyond his own limited reach, and Lucas finds support from an understanding ex-girlfriend in one extremely moving scene.

While at its core, this is a coming-out story, it is also a heartbreaking exploration of marginalization, repression, and identity. Thought-provoking, sexy, dangerous and deeply moving, it serves as a cautionary tale or time capsule of when pleasure and sex were aligned with alarm and distress. (7.5/10)