The Pass

Russell Tovey plays Jason who is with his team mate Ade (Arinze Kene) in a hotel room in Romania on the night before a big game. They spend the night talking of dreams, the chances they may take and horsing around just this side of being overtly homoerotic.

The air is crackling with sexual tension and then the story moves on into the future and that is where it gets very interesting and quite deep. To say more would ruin the plot. Now this is essentially a play in three acts and it could easily be staged. The cast is minimal and that means that everyone has to be on top form and they all are. Tovey has to carry most scenes but he is ably supported by the others involved.

This is a gay based film but it is not a bedroom fest but does feature a fair bit of nakedness but not the Full Monty type either. This is a film for those who like a very human story and have an interest in why so few football professional players have ever come out of the very packed footie closet.

I really enjoyed the movie and the acting was great. The way it portrayed the range of emotions in the different relationships were very poignant and authentic. Russell Tovey was amazing and gave a layered performance. Arinze Kene should definitely be given more roles in the future. I hope UK cinema realizes what they have before he is forced to go to the US for work.

I had the pleasure of watching this film during the 2017 Outfest Film Festival in Los Angeles and all I kept thinking to myself is WOW! This film was so well done and real to life. I actually know several personal friends who have chosen the path of career over finding true love. The results can be loneliness and missed opportunities. This film shows three different stages where love opportunities where missed over career goals. There are many levels to this film so I won't give anything from this film away. You MUST watch this film with an eye for details for there are many layers of story being told simultaneously. The actors were superb. Specially the main character who carried the film very well with conviction and authenticity. Kudos to him. Highly recommended. Beautifully done and executed.

I almost skipped this film due to some bad reviews I read about it, and therefore was surprised to find that it is quite enjoyable and interesting. Acting is great, especially Tovey Russel's performance which I found excellent in spite of a somewhat exaggerated character script. I admit the subject treatment is a bit outdated, and the script is more suitable for chamber theater than for a film. But still, this is a very good gay flick.

I've just watched "The Pass". It was much more rewarding than two other reviews on this site might suggest. I think that they were deliberately posted by homophobes in order to diminish the attractiveness of this movie. To confirm my view, I'd just suggest that you consider the "External Reviews" on this site. All of the English reviews are overwhelmingly positive, which makes me think that there are some people out there who try, very deliberately, to denigrate or otherwise diminish the quality of any gay themed movies.

Now, to the movie itself. It's a tale of two young footballers, one black and the other white. While they feel a certain attraction to one and other, it is only in their later lives that they are able to come to terms with it. I think it to be a really good movie with interesting messages.

Just how beautiful is "The Beautiful Game"? Only you can determine that. But I thought this to be a good and thoughtful movie. Russell Tovey was believable, handsome, beautiful and excellent in his role, as was his counter-part, Arinzé Kene. Two good-looking men. They are just surprised when they are attracted to one and other.

I give the movie 8/10 for its honesty in examining relationships between men. It's a subject which is not often covered in the movies.

If you choose to watch it, then I trust that you will enjoy it.