My Policeman first reactions: Harry Styles praised for ‘passionate’ performance in gay period drama
Following its world premiere at Toronto International Film Festival, the first reviews for My Policeman are here.
Words: Emily Maskell; Image: Prime Video/TIFF
The My Policeman embargo has lifted and thoughts on the gay romance have been flooding in following the film’s world premiere at Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) over the weekend.
Following Styles’ performance in Don’t Worry Darling, which has been largely panned by critics, My Policeman sees the actor favoured with early reactions noting his arresting performance as a closeted gay man in 1950s England.
The film was already being held in high regard after winning the TIFF Tribute Award for Performance, an award for exceptional acting.
The cast make up the first ensemble to be granted this honour, which is now a gender-neutral acting category; Corrin is the first non-binary actor to receive the award.
— Prime Video (@PrimeVideo) September 12, 2022
Many hailed Styles’ performance as the diamond of the film about forbidden love: “Haven’t stopped thinking about Harry Styles and his performance in [My Policeman]. It’s arresting and simply beautiful. The film is devastating and heartbreaking. Great ensemble performances especially from Emma Corrin and Rupert Everett. That end scene though.”
Haven’t stopped thinking about Harry Styles and his performance in #MyPoliceman. It’s arresting and simply beautiful. The film is devastating and heartbreaking. Great ensemble performances especially from Emma Corrin and Rupert Everett. That end scene though. pic.twitter.com/MuwKXQJZAb
— Jazz Tangcay (@jazzt) September 12, 2022
Another noted that My Policeman sees Styles showcase his acting chops: “Michael Grandage’s [My Policeman] is a beautifully rendered & heartbreakingly melancholic look at the rigidity of masculinity & sexuality in the ’50s. Harry Styles deliver his best acting performance, and the ensemble cast—especially Emma Corrin & David Dawson—is excellent.”
Michael Grandage’s #MyPoliceman is a beautifully rendered & heartbreakingly melancholic look at the rigidity of masculinity & sexuality in the ’50s. Harry Styles deliver his best acting performance, and the ensemble cast—especially Emma Corrin & David Dawson—is excellent. #TIFF22 pic.twitter.com/XaUL3l6tS9
— Max Gao • 高俊鹏 (@MaxJGao) September 12, 2022
“The performances in MY POLICEMAN really make the movie and they’re solid all-around,” another tweeted. “But Harry Styles carries the film with a subtle but passionate performance that should silence any doubters.”
The performances in MY POLICEMAN really make the movie and they’re solid all-around. But Harry Styles carries the film with a subtle but passionate performance that should silence any doubters.
— Jenelle Riley (@jenelleriley) September 11, 2022
Based on Bethan Robert’s book of the same name, My Policeman follows a young police officer Tom (Styles) in a marriage to a teacher named Marion (Corrin) yet the officer can’t ignore his burgeoning feelings for museum curator Patrick (Dawson). The romance between Tom and Patrick threatens them all in a time when homosexuality is still illegal.
Linus Roache, Gina McKee, and Rupert Everett play older versions of Tom, Marion, and Patrick in scenes set in the 1990s.
It seems My Policeman is the stage on which Styles is securing rave reviews for his leading man turn.
My Policeman will be in UK cinemas on 21 October and then on Prime Video on 4 November.
The Attitude September/October issue is out now.
