Plainclothes

I really struggle to care about romance films. Love is such a private, subjective, and in many ways arbitrary experience and, as a show-don't-tell medium, movies in my opinion just aren't an easy art through which to explore how people feel it. Generally movies standardize it to "well she fills his X deficit/need and he fills her Y deficit/need and that's why they work". I don't care about such contrived, transactional relationship.

Plainclothes, however, completely breaks through this trap. For spoilers I won't detail how, but this easily the most "real" romance I've seen in recent memory, perhaps late memory. I teared up several times in this one. If you're gay or bi, this is especially moving. But even if you're not, you're in for a novel concept and a tense story to keep you glued through an eye-opening experience about gay love, or the lackthereof...

Another reason this works so well is that, while substantively a tragic romance, it FEELS like you're watching a thriller due to the pacing, anxious cinematography, and tense writing structure.

So, so good. Keep an eye out on the creative team. Exceptional film.

The only spoiler I want to give about this finely acted and directed film is to say that it literally shows male love as it should be seen. The plot is basically about a plainclothes policeman who entraps men in public toilets. Set in the late nineties of the last century I had the feeling that this could be today in any place that represses forcefully homosexuality. Tom Blyth is superb as the man who entraps and while doing so he entraps himself in a passion for another man ( played well by Russell Tovey ) and how both of them fall into a transitory, but real love relationship. The film is truthful in its description of sex and how versatile it can be. Both men are willing to open themselves to each other and role playing so often seen in LGBTQ cinema has no place here. It is the best loving sexual scene I have seen and I have seen many. I urge anyone who cherishes diversity to see these two great actors, Blyth and Tovey show us both painful truth and ecstatic joy. An essential film.

I went into this film blind and did not know what to expect .Found Great acting and and an amazing capture of the stress, anxiety and fear one felt in the late 90's being a closeted gay man; told with flashbacks of home movie clips appropriate for each time period from the 70's 80's and 90's. It really highlights the trauma done to men who experience this. The panic sequences were really well done I hope younger audiences can appreciate that it wasn't as easy back then.

I felt what the characters felt, i've been there. I was stunned that a film can make me remember those feelings. Fear, panic, compassion and tears means a job well done.

I've read that this movie was kind of expensive to make but man...it doesn't show at all. I think the actors are doing their best with a pretty basic script, but the production is just bad.

It's not the VHS resource - Gregg Araki's work still looks interesting today. It's the editing, the cheesy close-ups and everything that goes by the numbers: even the antagonist has no redeemable qualities. Tovey is the highlight - he elevates the material with his performance but there's just so much he can do. It's not a terrible movie but I needed to bring some objectivity to the reviews posted so far..

Watched at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.

The experiences of how gay individuals are going through and the homophobia around is sad and unfortunate, especially with today's climate. Director Carmen Emmi has created an interesting movie about heartbreak, lust, gay identity, and closeted emotions with great performances from Tom Blyth and Russell Tovey, atmospheres, direction, and writing throughout. The narrative strikes with some interesting themes, character dynamics and tension revolving around its setting. While it's conventional writing does have some moments that feel a bit messy, no doubt Emmi has an ambitious tale to tell.

The theme about love and the closeted aspects of being gay is explored pretty well. Examining the troubled effects and feelings one can go through and using a cop vibe approach is quite an interesting take. As mentioned, the main two lead performances are great as the feelings and emotions they are going through are both, while aren't perfect, understandable and honest. Editing wise, there are some weird editing choices that are a bit headaching, alongside with some strange dialogue choices and pacing that feels aimless.

Otherwise, it's a good romantic thriller that achieves with its purpose and themes. Providing a really good third act that leaves the satisfaction on rise.