Capsule review: Impactful movie. Talented cast and heart-wrenching plot.

My Policeman, a romantic drama set in the 1950s, features over 113 minutes of heartache. Directed by British director and Tony Award Winner Michael Grandage, the story follows a love triangle that threatens the livelihoods of those involved. The film kicks off in 1999, when retired schoolteacher, Marion (Gina McKee), ruminates on her complicated past romance, recounting old memories and subsequently discovering life-changing information.

As an adaptation of Bethan Robert’s beloved 2012 novel, Grandage’s take on the piece is mediocre. My Policeman has received mixed reviews, including a brutal 41 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite the bland screenplay, the talented cast carries the charged story with the ability to leave a theater in tears.

Produced by Amazon Studios, My Policeman hit national theaters Oct. 21 and will be available to stream on Prime Video Nov. 4.The widespread fame of the main cast, which includes Harry Styles (Young Tom) and Emma Corrin (Young Marion), My Policeman received broad coverage across media platforms.

Initially set in 1999, older Marion (Gina McKee), Tom (Linus Roache) and Patrick (Rupert Everett) depict their tense relationships incredibly well. Elderly Patrick joins the Burgess household for recovery after incapacitation due to a recent stroke. The move is a choice made by Marion, much to Tom’s blatant disapproval. His arrival initiates nostalgic flashbacks to their younger counterparts’ adventures.

Throughout the film, Marion recalls the beginning of her relationship with young policeman Tom and close friend Patrick (David Dawson). The flashbacks, which hint at potential chemistry between Patrick and Marion, are artfully composed, with a diverse soundtrack and an overall sunny perspective.

As elderly Marion discovers Patrick’s journals, the film shifts yet again. We see the young trio reliving the same events, this time from Patricks’s perspective. His point-of-view unveils Tom’s complex infidelity and secret relationship with Patrick.

The illegality of homosexuality in the 1950s and the fear of imprisonment drive the complexities of Tom and Patrick’s meetings. Still, the relevance of the movie is widely debated, with many critics expressing disdain for the seemingly excessive amounts of bleak gay romances in the film industry. However, both the cast and Grandage expressed beliefs that the overall message of the film connects to present day fears of the fragility of the changing times we live in. After the overturning of Roe v. Wade, political leaders believe that legal gay marriage could be the next victim to this nationwide political shift.

“I just think we are now in a place where intimacy in the film between Patrick and Tom is something that others can now experience without fear of breaking the law… But I feel the huge gains in creating a more open society around the world are beginning to feel fragile again,” said Grandage.

The delicate and nonlinear pacing of the film never leaves audience members bored or wishing for more. The tear-jerking acting brought by the gifted cast concluded that the film was heartily underrated.

Styles’ character grows increasingly complex as the film unfolds, from his superficial role in relation to Marion to his contradictory passion as he falls for Patrick. New to the film world, Styles brings an honest edge to his intricate character through childlike cadence and heart-on-his-sleeve acting. On the other hand, Dawson masterfully portrays a hiding and heartbroken man finding love again in a hostile world, with a tenderness and genuine love for the young Tom.

His elder counterpart Everett does as well, carrying his scenes despite having almost no lines. His actions and emotions, heightened by his inability to communicate, visibly break through the screen so that the audience feels them directly. The entirety of the older cast fantastically proves the impact of their past mistakes, and the emotional weight of the film establishes their cursed future as a dark cloud over happier memories.

Yes, My Policeman could benefit from a more experienced cast and a few less cliche montages. However, the historical importance and the deeply affecting nature of Tom, Patrick and Marion’s story is more important than the polish of the film. With a rating of four out of five feathers, My Policeman is a must-watch; just make sure you have a few tissues on hand.