My Policeman Gay Reaction | Harry Styles in an LGBTQ Film!

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We are finally reviewing this film that many of you have requested. It's a very emotional and intense film! lots of great conversation points here and some opinions may be controversial!
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#lgbt #reaction #gay

[@brianmatthews1736]

As Harry Styles said..."This movie is about wasted time"......

[@susannea4196]

He's right though

[@SapphsArt]

Just wanted to let you both know that this was a book adaptation, based on a real life experience of the author (a love triangle with ‘bob’ Buckingham and his wife . The story in my opinion was really touching. I do believe that at the end Marion did have to leave, even if she didn’t resolve anything really. It’s really interesting, so if you guys have free time it would be something you could look into

[@mansisharma9318]

The whole cast is queer. The director said they wanted the characters to be played as true to the core as possible. P.s. Harry styles fought for the role. And later in the interviews said the movie is about lost time and how that is the most devastating thing ever.

[@rebeccaw1428]

Exactly

[@EmelynAbreu]

And the director said Harry didn't know how to lie just yet (bless him, but that man never knew how to lie to save his life and I really don't think he could ever learn, that's why he does good only when he can relate to that character) and that made his performance even more real, 'cause he understood Tom's feelings, he related with him. Also he knew the entire script by heart when he came for the audition.

[@TheSadPaki]

​@@EmelynAbreu lemme guess you either a Larry or a zarry which one is it? 😂😅

[@EmelynAbreu]

@@TheSadPaki I didn't understood the question, I just said what the director himself told in interviews he did. Also you can see what Harry himself says about the film and his role in it. As for the fact that he never knew how to lie it is pretty obvious on many interviews of 1D, even when the topic was not even that problematic that's why Liam was always the one leading every complicated question.

[@roseanddagger3090]

@@TheSadPaki wow zarries still exist??

[@cairomilan5797]

i feel like so often when we watch movies or series set in these times we think "back then it must have been so scary" or "i cant imagine having to hide so much" but i think people forget to acknowledge that this kind of society is still how much of our world functions. This fear and danger and hiding may be somewhat a thing of the past for some countries but many parts of the world people are still living in this type of situation

[@preciouslyloveem]

you should watch Harry's commentaries on the film, he and David described it in such a beautiful way. And as a harry fan, he was in 'don't worry darling' as well and you can see how much more comfortable he is in this role than in that one. He was also in Dunkirk a Christopher Nolan movie in 2017. Loved your reaction

[@kellydannar2027]

I couldn’t disagree more. Think what you will of him in this movie, but thinking he was more comfortable in DWD is ludicrous. This was a quiet movie and it takes practice to learn when to go full on and when to pull back. Yes the rest of the cast outshined him but they are veteran actors. This was his third role. And there were moments of true brilliance. The beauty of that last moment that brought people to tears-Harry. The intensity and connection in those moments between him and Patrick, especially the gorgeous love scenes, were incredible. I think people are being harsher because it’s Harry. They expect BIG, smooth, A STAR. But instead he chose to be awkward and indecisive and much more like a real person.

[@ThaliaLH]

I believe @emilie4017 is saying Harry was more comfortable in My Policeman than DWD, not the other way around. @@kellydannar2027

[@aster_11]

​@@kellydannar2027they're saying he was in dwd but you can see how much more comfortable he is in this (I'm a policeman) than dwd. I think the wording of that sentence slightly confused you lmao

[@kellydannar2027]

@@aster_11Oh! You’re right. I’m so sorry @emilie4017 ! I did misread your comment. I actually totally agree and am very embarrassed now.

[@venlalehtinen6409]

The book is from Marion's perspective and I found her really aggravating in the book. So in that way the movie was a pleasant surprise.

[@ilariaquaranta9672]

When I saw Tom watching the young couple outside the shop, or Hawk, as you say, watching the streets of San Francisco I can feel their pain to be robbed of their lives just because they were born a few years before. It's so unfair. And how many real men and women had to feel this?

[@suvijii841]

The guy playing Patrick is David Dawson, and yes he is INCREDIBLE in this. I think Harry did good too, considering that he is not a professional actor. His heart was in this though, and it shows. I think he could be much better with the right director - he was brilliant in that small role of Dunkirk, for example.

[@michelle_in_multimedia2217]

I totally agree with you.

[@mocha2717]

My Policeman is based on Bethan Roberts’ 2012 book of the same name,which was inspired by the real-life love triangle between writer E.M. Forster, policeman Robert “Bob” Buckingham and his wife May Buckingham. Like Tom Burgess and Patrick Hazlewood in My policeman, there was also an age gap between E.M., who was 51, and Bob, who was 28, when they met. Also like Tom’s wife, Marion Taylor, Bob’s wife, May, was also a nursemaid for E.M.in the later years of his life.

[@christiana7424]

The showrunner for Fellow Travelers wrote the screenplay for this film ❤

[@AStoryWorthTelling]

Oh wow! We didn’t know that!

[@christiana7424]

@@AStoryWorthTelling I didn't either until two days ago 😅

[@breatheinmyworld8230]

Wowwww

[@stephenpeters8971]

And Linus Roache was in Fellow Travelers. Lucy father, the senator who commits suicide.

[@rebel.taylord]

@@stephenpeters8971 ⁠That's where I've seen him! Throughout this video I kept thinking he's so familiar lol

[@jangwonie]

i believe marion is very much the villian and the book especially was not trying to give her sympathy, even tho i dont think the movie really did either. i think they took the title of the book and movie "my policeman" and both halves of the movie showed patrick's perspective of seeing tom as "his policeman" and then the other half showing marion's perspective of loving "her policeman." i think it was trying to show how patrick loved tom selflessly but because of the society he was in it was seen as selfish, whereas marion loved selfishly but because she was a woman loving a man, she was actually entitled when she thought she was being selfless and doing what was 'right' for tom. she had more flashbacks to the present tho, which could come off as it being about her and being self-righteous, but i more so see it as patrick and tom having past flashbacks because that's where their life kind of "ended" as free people whereas she got more of the future because she got to continue "living" even when they didn't. this is one of my favorite lgbtq+ films because of how much it showed the difference in chemistry and how different tom is with them. he's a kind and innocent person in patrick eyes, when tom could truly be himself, but stern and stubborn in marion's eyes when he's with her. i think that really showed how when someone queer is forced into the closet and to hide, they have to hide all of themselves, even the good. sorry this comment is long, i always enjoy your guys' reactions and adore hearing about your perspectives. you're also both so funny!! im so happy to see the channel evolving and growing too :)

[@acrynellys]

I love this movie, but it's definitely not perfect, and the points you brought up are really valid. I do think the movie is too much on the side of "we all hurt each other equally" when what happened to Patrick is on a completely different level. As far as the emphasis on Marion's POV, I feel conflicted about it as well because while I'm gay, I'm also a woman. There are so many stories about infidelity (gay and straight) in which The Wife/Girlfriend is not afforded sympathy or a POV of her own. It ties into the larger trend, historically, of female characters across media, which is finally FINALLY changing. I appreciate the fact that Marion isn't just a villain or just a victim, but a complex human being in her own right. There's also an argument to be made as to the value of including points of entry/accessibility for straight people engaging with queer stories. I don't think we're obligated at all to make straight people feel comfortable or pardoned from accountability, but I did watch this movie with my mom, and I know her experience of it would have been very different without Marion's POV. My mom was raised in a very conservative and homophobic environment, and the journey she's been on these last few years since I came out has been amazing to witness (I'm very lucky and proud of her 💖) While she felt deep sympathy for Patrick and Tom, Marion was the character that challenged and clearly made her uncomfotable, particularly in the scene where Marion's called out by her fellow teacher. I think there's profound value in straight people recognizing their own past/present homophobia through the lens of the damage it does to queer people.

[@acrynellys]

On a completely unrelated note, special shout out should be given to the VFX person(s) who had to digitally remove all of Harry's tattoos 👏👏👏

[@nomadine85]

Very well put!

[@e1evene1even]

Great reaction, guys. I remember Rupert Everett was a big star in the 90s, then he just disappeared. The reason why all makes sense now. I've watched this movie about 5 times and that last shot of Tom and Patrick always gets me. I like to think that now since times have changed and they can be out and free, Patrick will be out of that chair in no time and they can have at least a few good decades together.

[@sinceslicedbread7422]

I'm so glad the story was told from her perspective. There are just too many LGBT+ stories about the guys getting together and blithely trampling the woman underfoot. Everyone is too busy cheering on the guys, but no-one spares a thought about the broken woman underneath. This tale provides some sort of balance, even if the outcome is bittersweet.

[@justascomplicated8182]

I mean it's more so that one party is usually risking alienation, criminalization, violence, etc. if they come out than not "sparing a thought", no? lol. I think the movie that gets this dynamic the best is probably brokeback. It's heavily implied that the main character gets brutalized as a result of his sexuality, but the movie spends plenty of time on the wifes of both men.

[@bajanyaoikaizer6902]

🙄Maybe because the men are the ones who are hurting, suffering, struggling, self-oppressing and risking everything to live their lives; while the woman *ONLY* _looses a husband, which could've happened for other reasons anyway_ .

[@sbashkatova]

“Only” loses her husband? Um… If my partner married me without sharing that they were basically madly in love with someone else and intended to hide a relationship with that person while making me think we were in a monogamous relationship and also gaslit me whenever any thought bubble of suspicion entered my brain, I’d go on a murderous rampage. Marion was naive, and petty, and the whole situation was fucked up, and it’s devastating to know that this is still a reality for so many people in the world today. And she was wrong. But, no, not “only” loses a husband.

[@stylesforever1297]

@@bajanyaoikaizer6902pathetic way to look at it! I’ve been in Marion’s position and he nearly married me knowing all along he was gay. That is utterly devastating she was completely betrayed. Absolutely what Marion did was wrong but don’t dare say her pain is nothing.

[@Elenuay]

I don't think we can look at this from the lens of our modern lives in countries which have legalised gay marriage and judge the characters for their actions. It was just shit for everyone because the law didn't allow this type of situation to be resolved in a good moral way.

[@aparnaravichandran723]

"Back in the day it was scary" Always gets me because well I was living the exact same life till 2018 in my country..

[@clemgebhard3087]

If you have the occasion, you should read the book! It explains all the confusion that you can feel while watching the movie, and in my opinion it's even more emotional than the movie :)

[@mapleleaf9691]

Sorry to post it here, but just want to share my recent discovery of the Queer as Folk show (the US version of the original 8 episodes UK show of the same name that aired in the UK in 1999). It ran on Showtime for 5 seasons from 2000 to 2005, has 83 episodes all together. What an incredible masterpiece, it is groundbreaking and so ahead of it's time that it still feels absolutely relevant. It has well developed characters and compelling story lines that pull you in and never let go. Also, the show is full of incredibly hot, very explicit gay sex/love scenes. I understand it is a lot of material to react to, so even if you don't, please do yourself a favor and watch it if you haven't yet. I did watch the UK original series as well and it was ok, but the US version is something else entirely.

[@la.uralox]

Brian Kinney is an incredible character!

[@mapleleaf9691]

@@la.uralox Agree, i have never seen such a character on TV before. Gale Harold was magnificent playing Brian. I wish more younger people watch Queer as Folk US series. I have watched all the recent ones (including Fellow Travelers which i loved), but nothing else compares.

[@dianefurlong2911]

Thank you for reacting to this beautiful movie Alex and Josh. Did you notice in the final scene how the present day Tom and Young Tom each were reunited with Patrick?

[@margaritakmp]

I think the thing that bummed me out about this movie is that the story didn't actually have to be a tragedy - it was based on E.M. Forster and Bob Buckingham's relationship (Bob was married to a woman, and Forster lived with them in his later years), but the three of them ultimately coexisted peacefully - no one sent anyone to prison, no one was permanently destroyed by it, etc. I think it could have been a much more interesting story to see how all three coped with sort of achieving equilibrium and a sort of happiness but also never quite having precisely the life they wanted - there is loss there too, albeit more nuanced, that I think would have been just as fascinating to explore

[@jamesl8952]

Strong recommendation to watch Linus Roache in 1994’s Priest and Rupert Everett in 2018’s The Happy Prince for further representation of the terrors of the closet

[@ellesaaltjejenneke5400]

Gosh I loved Priest, it broke me, but it had very funny moments as well.

[@francoistredoux2489]

And don't forget Rupert Everett (and Cary Elwes and Colin Firth) in Another Country (1984). Not necessarily the terrors of the coset, but very much showing the breeding ground for "no commies and no queers".

[@galepower467]

Priest is a marvellous film. I saw that in the ‘90’s. I believe the cast, apart from Linus Roache was Robert Carlyle, Tom Wilkinson and Cathy Tyson. Way before it’s time but, I don’t know if it will have aged very well. In any event, it is a well made film and explores themes of priesthood and the Roman Catholic church. Very engaging and, in some ways infuriating because it is so accurate.

[@anon88]

That ending had me sobbing, it wasn't a happy nor a sad ending it was just bitter-sweet. As harry said multiple times in interviews about the movie; it really highlights wasted time, and that's what gets me, all the time they lost. Also I don't know if it'd be a genre you enjoy but you should watch dunkirk directed by christopher nolan to see more of harry's acting he killed that role, it was his acting debut and might be his best acting imo, I think you'd agree. The movie's really good too.

[@767wattsy]

If you get the chance, I highly recommend watching the landmark gay film VICTIM from 1961 - not only is it a landmark film in terms of gay representation of its period, several years before decriminalisation, but it stars gay actor Dirk Bogarde in an amazingly strong performance.

[@jacqf3583]

David Dawson (young Patrick) also did a great job in Ripper Street - a series from 2012-2016 based in 1889-1897 . Not queer focussed but it comes up

[@Sean0526a]

It's great to hear two people who didn't live it try to discern how people had to live in that time. I love knowing that you didn't have that experience and it's a puzzle for you. It's very heartening for me. Thanks

[@ilariaquaranta9672]

You're right. The way they had sex, since the first time, was sweet and intimate. Other movies, like "Brokeback Mountain" or "God's own country" or "Fellow travelers", show us rough first times. Here, it's natural and sweet, without the fear, the shame or wtf happened when you feel uncomfortable in what you do, because the whole world said that it's wrong. Patrick is a proud man, years before the Pride. Maybe careful, but he knows there is no guilt in what he does.

[@rebeccaw1428]

The director said the movie had an all queer cast.

[@suvijii841]

Yep.

[@gabrielaortiz532]

I love Harry in this movie, I think it partly represents his own life, not being able to live freely. That's why he wanted to play this character so much.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

It’s definitely a well cast movie! I regret not watching it earlier.

[@kev121]

“My Policeman” was made by the same people who made “Fellow Travelers”.

[@edliwolfstar]

I loved this movie even though it broke me. And when I read the book it broke me even more

[@AStoryWorthTelling]

I think it broke us too!

[@edliwolfstar]

@@AStoryWorthTelling I would have been surprised if it hadn’t. Also if you want even more heartbreak the book is even more heartbreaking cause you will understand Mirriam more since it is from hers POV

[@estrella.t91]

yeah the book destroys u😭😭

[@edliwolfstar]

​@@estrella.t91 I feel like it is a book I could re-read and it would dystroy me the same way

[@clarice8693]

This movie is so beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. No one ever reacts to this movie so I'm happy you guys did.

[@fvmms]

I always watch these on the treadmill so I LOVE when they’re longer

[@dianefurlong2911]

Gotta go to work in a few minutes but I’ll definitely be back to watch this evening. Thanks Alex and Josh

[@katb-t7204]

I loved the movie! Im a massive Harry Styles fan, but a almost forgot he was in it as everyone was so good. I cried my eyes out! I had full compassion for all of them & what they all went through. I just wanted them all to be happy & not waste one more second being sad & scared in the end. I love them all. ❤

[@kellifranklin4432]

Just going to leave my weekly plea for Good Omens here. Thanks guys!

[@nininoona]

For me, taking the perspective of the wife is a choice that; while I wouldnt have made it as an author myself; I can understand the reason behind it. The wife basically takes the position of the audience surrogate. So, we are watching it from her point of view. We dont get any flashbacks of what is going on between Patrick and Tom until she enters the picture. My biggest issue with the story is the reaction some audiences have of Marion's choice to leave in the end. A lot of people see it as her "finally" doing the right thing, and somehow wanting to give her some sort of pass because she made the right choice eventually. I cant give her that grace. Tom said it best: She ruined his (Patrick's) life. And, I am sorry, I dont think I could ever forgive her for it.

[@jomarch1085]

This is my read, too. The wife seems petty to me. Not a fan.

[@lorettacrooms4398]

Alex don't be afraid to give your opinions. I find them interesting. You see stuff that I miss. Bring on the controversy. 🙃

[@billwagstaff9986]

IM AN 84 YEAR OLD GAY MAN ,PLEASE DONT MOK THOSE DAYS IT WAXS A hard time, we where treated like mentally different we had some. kind 0f twisted dysfunctional brain.😮

[@megdelaney3677]

Reminds me of 'Man in an Orange Shirt' 2017 TV movie. I only watched part 1 because it took place in the 1940's after WWII.

[@michelle_in_multimedia2217]

That's a great movie. I watched both parts but I loved the first part more.

[@clint2642]

Please can you review Jimmy McGovern's "Priest" where you will see Linus Roache as a priest and LGBT representation! This is why I loved seeing Linus cast in My Policeman.

[@Mstr_Fahrenheit]

So Linus Roache, who plays the older Tom, was in a gay film called Priest (1994). It's pretty....naughty. 😉 Add that to your list! Keep it up you two, love your content. ❤️😊

[@Evan1060]

I love how they added in a quick view of Harry Syles right after Linus Roach reaches out and touches Rupert Everets hand. As though Rupert was remembering the past for a moment.

[@knivspit]

the past few days i’ve been binge watching your guys videos and i’m obsessed so i just subbed to the patreon 😂 i just have to see your full reactions to stuff so im about to go on another binge 🫶🏼

[@acrynellys]

I think I've watched this video at least 8 times by now; I love your balance of comedy, insight, and heartfelt engagement. I would LOVE to see what you think about some older gay movies, particularly "Maurice" and "My Beautiful Laundrette" 💖

[@zandercrowley798]

Linus Roach plays the older Patrick and was the Lucy's dad in Fellow Travelers!

[@suvijii841]

Nope, he plays older Tom. Older Patrick is Rupert Everett.

[@catslover3593]

My Policeman is my 2nd favorite movie and it was nice to hear another opinion even if I didn't agree on everything that was said at the end of the video 😅but it also opened my mind. And for the fact that the scenario seems to be more written from Marion's perspective is because in the book My Policeman, the point of view is shared between Marions's memories and feelings and Patrick's diary. So we don't have Tom's point of view at all and Patrick's is only spread through some things he wrote many years before, but I have never realized how much this impacted the movie before you pointed it out so thank you.

[@anabalila]

As fan of Harry is important for other people that are not in the fandom and know him to understand that this is Harry's way of saying he is Tom. In a absolute normal and ideal life and period of time, Tom wouldn't have to hide his true self marring a woman and Harry wouldn't be pushed to have straight public relationships to have a career in the film and music industry because queer artists don't sell well. And no, i am not assuming, closeting exists, Harry has been clear about himself for years, people and expecially some fans just refuse to read what's between the lines...

[@Mulbert]

As a queer person (IDK if you're also LGBT+) this kind of discussion makes me very uncomfortable. Similar to the Taylor Swift theories, the only way you can know for sure is if they come out and the speculation is worrisome. If you're a fan isn't it enough to like his music and acting without obsessing over his personal life? I'm not trying to be harsh, I'm into other fandoms so I can understand the intense feelings, I just think we shouldn't assume such personal things about real people.

[@suziesparkle2260]

Subscribed after your review of Saltburn :D Love you both! We have the same sense of humour and i love your serious chats too. ty for showing me more lgbtq+ films 💗

[@KatePhelan-ut3sz]

I wonder if the intention was to show how by refusing to let one group of people live their truth you rob all people of the opportunity to truly be free. All three of them were victims of the times they lived in, she was just the lesser of the three victims. Patrick was the one who truly suffered the most despite being the one you lived closest to his truth.

[@mrlagoonslawyer]

david dawson absolutely stole this movie, excited to check out other stuff he's been in!!

[@rebeccaw1428]

Age difference too Patrick is in his 30’s and Tom in his early 20’s. Patrick is educated. Tom is not.

[@jbyyz]

Thanks for another great video! I also recommend "The Imitation Game", if you haven't seen it yet.

[@SubKween]

I actually got really annoyed at some HS fans when press for this was going around. It is assumed by a large section of fans that he is in the closet. A lot of them will make commentary about it, ask friends and family members invasive questions, and don't even get me started on the theory he's in a secret relationship with one of his former band mates. Just because someone is famous it doesn't give the public the right to know everything about them. I don't know of course if Harry is indeed queer, but if he is and wants to keep that to himself that is his right. Someone's sexuality is no one's business but their own. It pisses me off when people try to out someone. And Harry has had to deal with just that for over a decade now. People need to mind their business.

[@shelleynull6532]

I completely agree and I am also a massive Harry fan and it makes me insane when some of his fan base go on and on with absolutely non stop conspiracy theories about him. They literally speak on and on how his record label and managers force him to be in the closet and as one who has kids who work in that Industry it just isn't a thing. Maybe 40 years ago but the absolute lawsuit that would come would be record breaking. Let that man live his life it's so disrespectful to assume anyones sexuality.

[@JaneMarett]

And yet here you are talking about his sexuality

[@SubKween]

@@rebeccaw1428 it's about one of the actors so completely relevant. Also, please do show me the rules when it comes to commenting since you are apparently the comment police. 🙄

[@Romaaaaane]

I am a larrie, one of these people who thinks he's/was in love with Louis (his bandmate) but honestly I just want them to be happy, it doesn't matter with who they're in love, as long as they're happy I'm happy...

[@stylesforever1297]

I have to say it’s not harries that go on about his sexuality it’s sick larries ! They actually attacked his own mother on social media for showing she’d gone to see Don’t Worry Darling while his then girlfriend was horrifically and I mean horrifically bullied but them believing he’s with a man who’s said so many times he’s straight !

[@dovestone_]

David Dawson is so underrated

[@bluemelody...]

I think it's beautiful at the end that Marion leaves and frees herself. It's not only a queer story, it's also about how women were "trapped" into marriage and not authorized to even think about what they want. That's this subtlety that makes this movie interesting. Society was just too narrow to let them all breathe.

[@steph4536]

speak on it! i think a lot of people agree with you when it comes to this movie, me included, it sympathizes way too much with marion for my liking. i understand they were all put in a difficult situation but like you said it feels like we´re seeing it more from her pov and theyre trying to equalize their experiences and it made me so angry at some points, literally the first time i watched the movie i said the same exact thing about how She was the ending shot ?? it just made me so angry, when alex said it i literally screamed "thank you!!!!!" at my screen. you guys were honestly on point with everything you said really, i agree with it all. love your videos, great reaction as usual!!

[@user-dl5zl5ph6q]

Yayyyy another great one! Still desperately begging you to react to Rocketman, you'd love it

[@AStoryWorthTelling]

Definitely coming in the near future

[@user-dl5zl5ph6q]

@@AStoryWorthTelling Omg thank you so much! I love your channel and that's my favorite movie, I can't wait!

[@darylridingamotorcycle666]

yes please🙏🏼

[@eMpREsSePArk7_28]

@AStoryWorthTelling Can I just say, I absolutely LOVED you alls reaction to this film!! I loved MY POLICEMAN first off but I am quite fond of it even moreso now after watching this reaction to it. All of your facial expressions and little quips were SPOT ON and I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of the 42:31 video/review and you've gained a follower FOR SURE!! My stomach aches from laughing and my face hurts from smiling! Thank you so very much ❤❤ #God I love the English 😘🏳️‍🌈

[@eMpREsSePArk7_28]

Follow up... EXCEPT at min 41:18-41:28, I'd hve to STRONGLY disagree Alex 😊

[@carolinepeachey2584]

I watched this just yesterday and thought it was very moving, I betrayed to read the book now. Love your reactions btw!

[@abouteverything8297]

She ruined 3 lifes... And it's more painfull to know that Harry was BEGGING for this role (but My Policeman had zero promo from his management , they did only disgusting things with Olivia for DWD movie) and we're all know WHY...

[@openedtodiscussion]

Please Alex don't worry about people reaction to your thoughts, it was honest and as valid as any other view. I share a new reflex I had today. I have just watched this movie this afternoon. and at the end my reaction was: did Josh and Alex reacted to it? so I came here 😁

[@kavananiranjana3461]

The book is written in Marion's perspective and Patrick's (through diary), but we never get Tom's perspective. Also in the book, in the end Marion just leaves a note and doesn't personally talk to either of them before leaving. The book and the movie are the same and not at the same time, you get very different feelings about the characters and the story. Loved your reaction.

[@Verax]

I'd read the book first, and enjoyed it slightly more than the film as there was more time to explore the characters. I've seen the film several times and it makes me cry every time. Hadnt watched any reactions to the film until now, but im so glad I found this one! You two are delightful and I really enjoyed your perspectives. I wish my friends would analyze films with me like this 😂 I agree with you on Harrys acting - I think he was better in Don't Worry Darling. Anyhoo, you've got a new subscriber and Im looking forward to watching more of you 😊

[@maryellenwolfe7892]

Have you seen The Happy Prince? Rupert Everett plays Oscar Wilde. He also directed and I think wrote it.

[@anon88]

Oh marion is hated bigtime by most viewers especially ones who read the book while waiting for the film. But i think her character is def in a way the villain of the story especially in the book, they didn't make her as dislikable in the film. And while I get the people who sympathize with her, it still doesn't the least bit justify what she did

[@deannahohenbery5649]

such a beautiful thoughtful reaction I would expect nothing less from the both of you 🥰🥰 I know it’s not super popular and well know but I think you both would absolutely LOVE man in an orange shirt. It has similar themes to this but is deeply heartbreaking and moving but also soo fan worthy 🥵

[@donnanobel514]

I love your reaction videos and this was again a really good one. I saw this movie a while back. If you haven't seen it yet I recommend "Consenting Adults" (2007) from the BBC about the Wolfenden committee.

[@harrysdifferentbeans6164]

As a Harrie and a massive fan of y’all IM SAT

[@arielcondino4054]

I think it would be interesting for you to see a 1994 film called "Priest". Linus Roache, who played the older Tom Burgess in this movie, portrays a priest struggling with his homosexuality. I'm also curious if you know that he is the son of actor William Roache (Ken Barlow on Coronation Street).

[@avamac0000]

Very much praying this isn't like super cheeky to suggest but I'm hoping after one of the shows you guys are watching right now finishes, you guys could consider reacting to Druck (the German skam) in the future? It's nothing like the other remakes you've reacted to, as it doesn't follow the formula of the original and feels like a completely different show, including the twist of the Evan character! The Isak and Evan characters in it are my favorite versions of them in the Skam universe, and I feel it would be a great watch for you both and won't feel repetitive and like it won't keep you guessing :) Show less

[@galepower467]

This film has broken my heart every time I have watched it. The first viewing was deeply moving and, I was suppressing tears from the time Patrick was first put on the bed as an older man. The intersecting themes of imprisonment, though illness a captive of speech loss. This extends to having no agency, being unable to physically remove himself. His memories and emotions trapped inside him. Not being able to make decisions for himself, being subject to the view of society, Marion representing that, Tom marginalising him, rejection on the most fundamental level and having to give his life to satisfy Marion’s whim, again. The memories of actual imprisonment and being reviled and beaten for being a gay man. That’s what I got in the first ten minutes. If you have an afternoon to spare, I’ll discuss the other ideas and theories I have about this piece 😂 I thoroughly enjoyed the film and found your review fascinating. As a Bi woman, hearing and seeing the gay perspective was hugely informative. I couldn’t wait to see your reactions as the film progressed. Very insightful and, definitely entertaining. Josh, unless the balm you put on your lips is a prescription medication, you really must stop, or limit your use. Balms use salycillic acid and glycerols to create their effect. Both these and other compounds dry the lips and damage the mucosa of the mouth. That, and the oral fixation/pleasure make balms addictive and damaging. Try to reduce your use if you can ♥️

[@josephlight7863]

I adore you both! OMG, thank you for saying what we're all thinking. Cheers darlings. XO

[@aquablushgirl]

This is adapted from a beautiful book by Bethan Roberts. It was directed by Michael Grandage (who is gay) and two of the main stars are LGBT (Emma and David - who can say about Harry...). I think it is harder for the younger generation to understand the reality and constraints of the 40's/50/s/60/s and can be rather harsh in their judgement. Marion was brought up to believe one thing and the law and state was telling her that it was wrong. Then Tom lied to her and made her believe that he loved her. She was completely blindsided. What she did was awful and it ruined all of their lives (Patrick being the worst off), but people DO act in the heat of the moment and terrible things do occur all of the time. You are right to acknowledge how easy it is today in comparison. Also, it is supposed to be the 90s not modern day when we see the older versions of Tom, Patrick and Marion. I liked the film, but actually the book is miles better.

[@jdfinch2]

i think your looking at this to much from your perspective because so much today is accepted. in the early years of this timeline homosexuality was a crime, divorce was a shun. getting married while in love with someone else was ruining lives she gave up most of here life knowing the man she loved was not in love with her but someone else throuple thing rarely work today. just like trans life usually ends in suicided

[@FishyandCoffee]

Thanks for posting this! ❤ please also consider reviewing Three Months ❤ 😊

[@EirikMBerg]

Have you had a chance to see All of us strangers yet? 🙂 I'm going to the cinema next Sunday and if I could get a reaction to Weekend (also directed by Andrew Haigh) for that occasion, that would be amazing... 😇 But no pressure... 😅

[@niwanthiekanayake9061]

I completely understand your observation of 'it's about how Marion feels about it' 'It makes me feel less emotion for the boys' BUT, as someone living in a homophobic country, where I have heard people laugh and bully, and I couldn't say anything to save myself, it really is of surviving. Yeah, maybe I don't have a 'beard husband' but, I've lied too, I've gotten mad too, I've called people out on being different only to hide mine. In that way I understood this in a deeper level. I get them, I get the stolen moments. I get the pain, and the love, and the longing. I think it's different in Western countries such as yours where you have some level of belonging right now. But, I can be arrested if I go outside in certain situations today, or tomorrow. It is a fear. So, even though I understood where you're coming from, I have to disagree as someone who knows the pain of the secrecy, and is living with it to this day.

[@stylesforever1297]

No it completely ruined everything for Marion too. My ex turned out to be gay and so often men marry and it really hurts the partner/ wife ! This film is incredible and it completely breaks everyone’s heart. The betrayal was all of them. And Harry’s acting was great actually and it’s only his second role !

[@sherdelune]

I straight (huh?) up cried during this film.

[@enzalomba3430]

I was waiting for this!!!❤❤❤

[@tuckscowboyhat]

love this movie a lot. i rewatch quite often for my own sanity haha! as a harry fan it was definitely an experience to witness this movie considering all the criticism of his role and esp w certain people thinking he was doing this as a form of queerbaiting and just certain narratives they try and push onto him. in my opinion (i could be biased) but i love this movie / role more than his past roles in ‘dont worry darling’ and ‘dunkirk’. i can see how it can be seen as not a well acted part tho! :)

[@seanchesteralexisexamen5964]

Great reaction! I recommend Firebird and Operation Hyacinth next

[@lololee24]

Harry was fine but he wasn't ready for this role I think the role should have gone to someone else who could convey the emotional depth needed to carry the role through. I did however think he did a pretty good job in DWD. I really wish he would have taken smaller roles that would have allowed him to build up his acting skills over time because he didn't really have the time to invest into the roles he took on because he was also in the middle of making an album I think someone should have set him down and told him not to take on so many projects at one time. If he's serious about acting he's going to have to step away from doing music and really invest the time needed into preparing for whatever role he takes on because he can't you can't do two things at one time. He needs speech therapy to work on his enunciation and a dialect instructor to help him sort out his accent because no one can pinpoint where he's from. He's been touring the world for over 13-years and now he sounds like he's taken the accent's of at least 3 or 4 countries. And he needs one on one acting classes so that he can learn how to find the emotions needed to conjure up when he's acting. He wasn't ready to take on lead character roles and I think his manager should have told him this and instead of turning him into some work horse for financial gain.

[@algiles881]

I think he comes over as beliveable because he is natural - he is a shy and troubled young man in a job that really he shouldn't have been in. He is scared of being found out - some great thespian would have overdone it, and you have to give him credit for throwing himself into the role. As I have said elsewhere, there are actors on TV soaps who have to play gay roles and look very uncomfortable kissing another man, still more so if they had to lay in bed undressed. I am not a fan of Harry Styles, I don't know his music and the only thing I know about him is the bizarre reason Taylor Swift ditched him.

[@celineconnaugh7861]

Rupert Everett was not merely blacklisted for being gay but also for having a very open affair with a woman, Paula Yates, the wife of Bob Geldoff. He had actually encouraged her to leave Bob and marry him. When Paula overdosed and died, Rupert has said that he was devastated and playing the leading man in a rom com no longer interested him.

[@showmoke]

I agree with you regarding Harry Styles' acting abilities .... not exactly Oscar nomination stuff. I prefer Troye Sivan's acting qualities and I would like to see Troye do more with his acting, but I think he said that the music side of his profession takes a higher priority over everything else.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Harry Styles put his Stylussy into this movie. Well done! (Although of course queer roles for openly queer actors)

[@wild4newlife]

Hmmm do mean closeted

[@estrella.t91]

lmaooo, sure…💀

[@castiel9601]

Real people cannot queer bait and it's morally wrong to demand someone's sexuality for an acting role. Have we learned nothing from Kit?

[@PokhrajRoy.]

@@castiel9601 I’m talking about roles that should ideally go to openly queer actors who don’t want to be yet another inconsequential stereotype.

[@arabellas70s]

​@@PokhrajRoy.you're wrong either way.

[@frankmahovlich5099]

I was surprised at Harry Styles resemblance to a very young Dirk Bogarde, a movie star of the 1950's, 60;s & 70's. Dirk was "closeted" gay to the public but never married and lived in a relationship with his manager Anthony Forwood until Forwood's death in 1988. In 1961 he starred in VICTIM, which WIKI says was the first British film to explicitly name homosexuality and deal with it sympathetically. Consider giving this B&W ground breaker a viewing.

[@EdibleStars369]

I feel like her walking away at the end was her making the choice she shpuld have made all those years ago. Instead of when she first found out, she clung on and decided she could fix Tom, and get the marriage and life she wanted if only Patrick wasnt there. Now she is realising that she could never have gotten that and by being there and staying she caused all this mess and Tom just stuck to what was expect, without any time to step out of the fantasy of being a married man like the society was telling him he should be

[@yu-lb8py]

About the report part, well, find out that your partner is a homosexual back then is basically equals nowadays find out your partner is a pedophile, they were all considered, as sexual pervert. Think about that if I find out my partner is like that, I don’t know what I would choose.

[@yu-lb8py]

In that period of time

[@aintnobody3000]

I thought this movie was a bit of a miss. However, The perspective of a woman being used as a beard is also important to represent how oppression affects everyone. If Tom could live his life and love freely, Marion would have had an opportunity to find love herself. Marion is also feeling the pressure to not end up a spinster and then not be a divorcée - so she deludes herself and then is stuck. -. I can’t forgive Marion for reporting Patrick and bringing him into the home to be his nurse was an odd move. Notice that she put the wedding picture in his room.

[@Larry.cupcaks]

Why you're so late???? This movie is from the book, but.... I must say it's not a perfect adaptation. Unfortunately they delete the best parts! Specialy Venice trip. Where that Patrik says: let's just stay and live here.just you and me.and be free. Also, they don't do that at the first drawing meeting. Tom goes to Patrik's house several times before. And, when Patrik is in jail, my god! He tells his and his policeman story and they hit him and hit him everytime he open his mouth..... Eventualy, it couls be so much better. But I watched it for Harry several times!!! I really love gay Harry😉

[@snuggies8037]

Literally sobbed at the end of this movie 😂

[@ehipwell21]

Have you both reacted to Man in an Orange Shirt? It's really great. Highly recommend.

[@Aknayirpuna]

The book was written from her prospective, the movie balanced it better than the book !

[@SubKween]

As bad of a person Marion was for turning Patrick in, she didn't deserve to be deceived into being Tom's beard. Yes she should have stayed and dealt with the problem before leaving but I understand her motivation. She wanted to be free but she also wanted to force Tom to come to terms and face the reality he set up for all of them.

[@jodtay]

Harry is the least experienced actor but I feel he held his own. It’s hard to gauge Tom in both the movie and the book so it’s hard to tell if some of those less dynamic parts from Harry are his acting or just how Tom is. The book only explores Marion’s and Patricks perspective so any actor playing Tom had to fill in the gaps because doesn’t tell us what Tom experienced. I think Harry had the most complex role to act. I love this story and the cast were incredible.

[@kellydannar2027]

The book was split into 2 perspectives. Marian’s and Patrick’s. Considering the anger I’ve seen towards Marian I don’t think the movie let her off the hook but I get everyone’s perspective. IMO while Marian’s actions are by far the worst, they are all at flawed humans who are struggling in a cruel time. Society is the true villain. Marian was a from a time that was so rigid that some women entered marriage not really understanding heterosexual sex, let alone homosexuality. Many restrictions on what women could do were still in place as well. And she would have been raised in under even more restrictive laws. Marriage often was a literal trap. And she had the added burden of loving Tom. Someone who could never love her back in the same way. Patrick is mostly innocent but he does enter the relationship and continues it knowing her feelings towards Tom and even shows up on their honeymoon and invites Tom to go to her dream destination. Tom is not brave enough to make the choices Patrick did and instead uses Marian as a human shield. Again I think the movie shows that they are all forced to deal with a situation because of the societal laws and pressures. So while the all make mistakes and are even cruel at times. It is society that is the villain.

[@charlottefontaine6733]

As its been said this is a book adaptation and the film misses some of the nuances of the relationships between each of them that you get in the book. As some bits they've changed some bits. The book is a mixture of Marion's perspective and Patrick's perspective as Marion reads his journal, represented in the flashbacks.

[@jaestinson5837]

The cost of Josh’s chapstick is prolly equal to my mortgage. 😏

[@cathyh1309]

Loved your perspective guys. This is a tragic story and I COMPLETELY understand why Harry aggressively pursued the director to play Tom.