Incógnito

Plainclothes

An excellent movie set in the 90's that explored the reality of being gay and trying to deny that truth in a straight world of friends and family. Supposedly built on a true story.

The ever present expectations of everyone around you to be what they expect you to be, is well played out in this movie.

Tom Blyth plays Lucas, a cop, who detail at the present is entrapment of gay men, here he meets Russell Tovey, who's playing Andrew and there is an instant connection. The movie skirted around the all to common reality that many a gay man cannot realised his true sexuality whilst his parents are alive and then when that moment arrives all hell breaks loose.

This was a cleverly scripted and crafted movie that alternated between the police work and the embryonic romantic relationship between Lucas and Andrew. There is more than an element of fixation on Lucas's part as this is his first entanglement.

I thought this was all played very convincingly and stated in spades no one can choose their sexuality or sexual preference regardless of their own intellectual desires, it just cannot be denied.

I'm going to give this firm 8 outta 10, a most believable set of scenarios.

It's 2025 and why are gay themed films still examining men coming out, in this case, when it appears to be set a few decades back. This story has been done over and over again, for decades, and while this is an excellent film, it would be great if film makers moved on to some other facet of gay life.

What saves this film is that it's fairly well written and the performances are outstanding. Tom Blythe is exceptional in the lead role and the entire film's plot is grounded in reality, even if it's a sad reality.

What brings the movie down is the decision, I assume, to film this as if it were actually filmed decades ago on the worst camcorder ever. The movie looks cheaply made and there are too many ugly video effects added. The editing and many quick cuts don't help. With as many fine actors that there are in this I doubt the decision to film this with horrible cinematography was one of budget , but of choice. It was a bad idea. It takes away from the film and overall the film is very moving and has a real message.

Wow. I seriously enjoyed this film. Loved the way it was shot; grainy and authentic. The director really evoked the time and place so well. The acting was all round knock out (I can see why it won Sundance ensemble award), but particular credit to Tom Blyth - an actor I am not familiar with. He hooked me in from the 1st second and never let go until the last line of the film. Maybe he just reminded me of myself in the 90's; expectant, excited, hopeful, disappointed, frustrated all wrapped up in one confusing mess. There are not many films that I watch more than once (ok, I've seen Aliens more times than I can count) but I hope to revisit this one at some point in the future.

The film has the intimate feel of an exclusive memoir, the chemistry between the two actors takes the audience's breath away, the wonderful performances and images make an old story very beautiful, and the language of the shots can make you feel it!

The first encounter between the two actors is well shot, and the first half of the film is when the audience is fascinated by their story. The film's biggest feature is the way it is edited, the old DV machine cuts and the sound of the machine malfunctioning create a sense of tension and anxiety. As a fan of Russell Tovey, I think compared with his previous gay movies, his performance in this movie is very fitting and reaches another level.

From another perspective, this is like our real grindr story, sometimes you will fall in love with a stranger after ONS, which is beautiful, but it is painful and can not be eternal.

Definitely one of the films you must watch in 2025.

I hope we all find our own San Francisco.

Yes, it's still necessary.

Even in 2025, homosexuality is still punishable under the law in some places - even as far as a death sentence - and/or gay marriage is illegal. Even now, rights of queer people are being withdrawn and denied in the supposedly more forward-thinking West.

Some may criticise the film's focus on the story of coming out, and long for happier queer films. Guess what, they exist. But this isn't it. And, actually, coming out remains a terrifying experience for many, which is not exclusive to the queer community.

In any case, I wouldn't even call this a coming out story.

Actual plot: Set in a time and place where the local law enforcement is cracking down on homosexuals, by trapping them into revealing themselves to undercover police officers in bathrooms, the undercover cop in question is struggling with feelings of homosexuality and suffering anxiety due to the opinions of those in his life, but begins to fall for one of his marks.

This is a very tragic love story between two people, so ashamed of their existence and their feelings they are forced into secrecy. For me, the nostalgic, bygone, filming style** only adds to the effect of the main character's anxiety and sucks you right into it with him.

It's a story about people and it delivers. Forget the rest. All the mess and chaos and pain of love - it's there - and the final scene is as devastating as their love.

Solid movie. Perfect pacing. A very interesting watch. Two exceptional performances.

At just an hour and a half, I wanted more.

*for anyone unfamiliar with Tovey's work, he starred in a British sitcom, titled Him & Her.

**a smarter person than me could analise and opine on this decision and how it mirrors the films themes, but check Sight & Sound or something for that.