Ao Seu Lado

I have never watched a game of rugby in my life, but In from the Side kind of makes me want to take up a Sunday league...!

I am a sucker for a well done film that deals in betrayal/deceit/salacious affairs, so I found this an easy and enjoyable watch. However, it is the cinematography that really makes this a standout, which is why my score is so high. London is artistically captured, the city feels familiar yet also quite whimsical. The rugby matches are also very well shot, with one match in particular quite breathtakingly done.

I would perhaps give the film in terms of plot 7, but the cinematography a 9.

In-depth narrative features about lesser-known segments of the LGBTQ+ community don't exactly come along every day, so it's indeed heartening when one about life in one of them - specifically the gay male rugby kinship - makes an appearance in the movie market (even if primarily only at film festivals). What's less satisfying, however, is when such a release doesn't quite live up to its potential, as is the case with writer-director Matt Carter's second offering. In following the clandestine love affair of two London ruggers who attempt to conceal their secret romance from their partners and teammates, the film explores its share of ethical matters, as well as the hard choices involved in making decisions about when it's time to hold on to or to let go of existing relationships (especially when they appear to have run their course). However, in telling this story, the film drones on far too long and seriously needs to dial back some of its melodramatic soap opera tropes. It also could stand to lose some of its heavy-handed judgmentalism about open gay male relationships, arrangements that are fairly common (and, in many cases, reasonably healthy) in the LGBTQ+ community. To its credit, though, this production features an array of fine performances (particularly among its cast of colorful supporting characters), as well as excellent cinematography of the rough-and-tumble rugby matches. Sensitive viewers, though, should beware of some sexually explicit content in deciding whether to screen this offering. But then, given the picture's unfortunate shortcomings, viewers in general might want to consider that decision carefully as well. In my view, I'd wait until it becomes available for streaming - and an occasion when you've got time to spare.

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.

I was absolutely horrified to see people here comparing this film with the horrendously boring and irrelevant "Weekend" and claiming that this film based on a rugby club and two of its members suffered in comparison. Where "Weekend" was an actionless dirge about nothing, "In from the side" explored much more and did it in the context of a group of gay guys taking on the hettie world on their own terms and winning.

During the film the clandestine affair between two of the players explored themes of infidelity and stagnation. Both men were in stagnant relationships, Mark with a rich guy whose fabulous flat he was staying in for free and Warren with another rugger bugger who'd helped him out in his life so he felt obliged to him.

Which horny young guys wouldn't have had an explosive affair with each other after realising their attraction to each other in these circumstances? I've been guilty of lustful straying off the straight and narrow so I can fully understand the physical pull these two guys had.

The film explored sensibly that, in the end, this is what the two lovers had - a huge physical attraction to each other and no more. Mark realised this first and Warren was forced to accept it.

The cinematography of the film was excellent, especially in the match scenes which looked real. Characterisation of the minor players was less finely drawn but good enough for support.

I saw a version that was 120 minutes long. Others stated that what they saw was nearly three hours. I have to agree that three hours would have been far too extended but the 120 minutes was just right. I was dying for a cuppa but refused to get up out of my seat while the film was playing.

For me, this is a definite recommend.