My Policeman

My Policeman (2022)

Directed by Michael Grandage

Screenplay by Ron Nyswaner

Based on the book by Bethan Roberts 

Stars: Gina McKee, Linus Roache, Rupert Everett, Harry Styles, Emma Corrin, David Dawson, and Kadiff Kirwan

The discourse around this film was palpable on Film Twitter with articles talking about the cast getting an ensemble award from TIFF. There was also news that the stars are campaigning for Oscar consideration. I can see that for one person and it's who you think it is.

Centering around a trio of friends. Marion (McKee) brings Patrick (Everett) to live with her and her husband, Tom's (Roache) after he has suffered from a stroke to care for him. Marion digs through Patrick's personal items to discover that he suspicions of the relationship between Tom and Patrick were more than meets the eye.

Getting this out of the way. There has been talking about the acting abilities of Styles. I have seen three movies that he has been in. My problem is that he is not embodying the character to become it. It feels like he is saying lines, because the script told him.

The saving grace of the movie is David Dawson as the younger Patrick. He was the emotional anchor of the movie for me. The character goes through a lot in the movie.

Watching the film, you get the sense that the pacing is very slow and laborious. It becomes a chore to try to finish it. It was like going through marathon. The plot was stepping into melodrama. It did not have any levity. No nuance. It was boring movie about miserable people trying to "do the right thing."

Rating: 5/10

Best Picture Nominee Movie Catch Up: Dunkirk

Dunkirk (2017)

Written and directed by Christopher Nolan

Stars: Fionn Whitehead, Mark Rylance, Tom Glynn-Carney, Jack Lowden, Tm Hardy, Aneurin Barnard, James D'Arcy, Barry Keoghan, Harry Styles, Kenneth Branagh, Cillian Murphy

Christopher Nolan's movies as of late have been more misses than hits for me. There is a disconnect about what Nolan wants the audience to feel than the audience trying to understand what he is conveying. I was not hooked in from jumpstart.

Taking place during a week from May/June of 1940, the Allied forces are stuck at a beach in Dunkirk by the Axis, waiting to be rescued.

My biggest question was who was this movie made for. People have been bashing on this movie for the lack authenticity with what happened at Dunkirk. Why did this story need to be told?

The characters are one dimensional. You have no idea who that person is. You are following this one generic white boy with dark hair to another generic white boy with dark hair. Then, you taken to some fighter pilots with blue eyes. Next, you follow an old guy in a dinky with more generic white boys. Lastly, you can't forget the officers on the dock that appear, disappear and re-appear again.

Who are is supposed to be the anchor of the movie? I don't know. I didn't care about the characters at all. If they died, oh well.

I read that the movie won for Best Sound Mixing/Editing and Film Editing. I will give credit to the sound. It was loud. Seriously. Do not wearing headphones for this movie. It was decibel piercing loud.

Rating: 5/10