In from the Side

I was very lucky to be at the second public screening of IN FROM THE SIDE at the BFI Flare Film Festival at BFI Southbank in London on Saturday. March 26th 2022. The world premiere was the night before.

I was blown away by this film. At first it seems like the film is about two gay men who have an affair, but there is so much more going on in this highly engaging film.

The film grabs your attention from the start and holds it throughout what is actually rather a long film, but it didn't feel a single moment was wasted. I found I was totally engaged with the story and thoroughly enjoyed every minute.

The rugby scenes are so well filmed that you actually feel you are on the pitch, right in the thick of the action. You can feel every thump and the mud!

Having spent about a year as a beginner to rugby, training with an inclusive rugby team in London, the Kings Cross Steelers, I can vouch that all the scenes centred around the workings of the club and the scenes in the clubhouse after the matches, rang absolutely true.

The script is superb and there are some really funny lines in the film that are very well delivered by the very talented actors. The film also took me by surprise and got me choked up with emotion at many points, in the second half of the film. I almost burst into tears at a couple of scenes towards the end. I won't say which ones, you'll have to experience it for yourself!

The film also has many great moments of humour. The packed house at the screening were roaring with laughter at many points, which is a joy to experience at the cinema. Something you really miss out on, when watching a film at home.

The film was shown on a really big screen and this made the whole experience very immersive.

The film ends with a really funny scene which I won't spoil, but leaves the audience with a big smile on their face.

I was absolutely bowled over when the end credits started and there was some superb animation, which I really wasn't expecting. As the credits rolled, I could see that the film's director Matt Carter not only co-wrote the script, but was also the cinematographer and composed the music and sang the superb end theme song! He also did the animation sequence too and the special effects and probably lots of other jobs. What a hugely talented man. I predict a great future for him!

The audience response was rapturous, and I am not exaggerating. There was a whole lot of love for the film coming from the audience.

The whole cast and crew did a superb job. I've never seen a film like this before, where being a gay man was so well explored and from such a unique perspective.

I think this film will appeal to a very wide audience and may also show people that gay men come in all shapes and sizes and can't be easily fitted into standard stereotypes. We are just as diverse as everyone else and just trying to live life as best we can.

It's a really fun film. Please look out for it and enjoy!

Best wishes to everyone involved in the film.

I've said this before and I'll say it again: I don't generally enjoy watching gay movies - for no other reason apart from the fact I find them clichéd and predictable. The majority of gay-themed movies are either too slapstick, or too tragic for my liking. Furthermore, I know nothing about rugby and it doesn't interest me in the least.

So why then did I decide to watch 'In from the side'? Well, that poster! There's just something so alluring about two macho, bearded hunks dressed in rugby attire holding each other whilst looking deeply into one another's eyes. I'm sorry, but that sold it to me! I wanted to see these guys in each others arms in a sensual manner. And in that regard, the film didn't disappoint.

Mark (Alexander Lincoln) and Warren (Alexander King) both play for a gay rugby club. After a night in a club, they sleep together, and I thought 'wow, they look good together'. But then we learn both are actually involved. Mark is in an 'open' relationship with Richard on the condition he doesn't sleep with the same guy twice, and Warren is in an 'unhappy' relationship with John. But the mere fact these two were involved diminished every bit of romance (for me), because I knew someone was bound to get hurt in the process.

At first I also didn't believe there to be chemistry between Mark and Warren, as they were disagreeing on almost everything most of the times - apart from the times they were having sex off course. But as the film developed they grew on me (figuratively, off course; pity!), and I really enjoyed them being together. There were a few truly beautiful and magical moments between them, especially when they went to visit Mark's parents. I absolutely adored his parents!

The performances are excellent, and I enjoyed every single character. The photography was also stunning. In general, this is a very good gay-themed movie with a compelling story and well-developed characters, highlighted off course by the two main actors, who were absolutely brilliant in their respective roles. Yes, it might not turn out the way you want it to, but this is far more realistic. 'In from the side' definitely is one of the better movies out there in the genre.

British gay romance drama. Two members of a gay rugby team--Mark (Alexander Lincoln) and Warren (Alexander King)--become attracted to each other and begin to fall in love. The problem is they both already have partners. However they have trouble fighting their attraction to each other.

At 134 minutes it's way too long and there's nothing new or ground-breaking here but it still worked for me. The acting is excellent by the two leads and there's LOTS of gay kissing scenes. The one sex scene we see is erotic but not explicit. Also (for once) this is a gay love story that does not have a tragic ending. It's bittersweet and a little sad (I admit I was crying) but hopeful. I applaud any gay film that doesn't end tragically. So no great shakes but I liked it.

What to say about this movie..hmm Just the thought of having gay only rugby team sounds amazing to me and it's nice that we have a movie like that.

Mark and Warren have a secret relationship even thou both have boyfriends. This movie is a nice story about adventure, and secret desire. About this one step that people make to feel exited and then they are playing on the edge not wanting to go all the way. I think Warren was stupid and I don't understand why he didn't stood up for Mat at New Year party. What I don't understand is why Warren's boyfriend never left him because he cheated. This was just left for our imagination to think that they had a little fight or not? Overall it's a nice movie.

Cinematography and acting: good

Music: too much it's distracting, often not even fitting the scene and overly dramatic

Script: that's where the film really lacks. Characters are not only unidimensional but not really likeable either. They are self centered and douchy. Their respective partners are non existant, except for being people they don't care about. Their decisions don't make sense with a number of clichés. We don't understand or feel why they are into each other, the only thing they do is have sex (we get it) and fight, there's no substance and the melo drama is forced... With this cast and cinematography it could have been much better. The one likeable and funny character is Pinky!