Dans la mêlée

Two hot hunks are having an affair... Production value is good, acting is also adequate... What could go wrong?

My problem with this feature is it is so much riddled with the sense of guilt about the whole affair and infidelity. Really? Gay guys in their 30's from London, living the age of Grindr and Prep... Would they be really so stuck up about meeting other guy than their own partner? Everybody live by their own value, but all the guys in this film seem to share the same weight of guilt. Meanwhile, out in reality, there are all sorts and forms of relationships going on. Because gays don't need to conform to the model of hetero marriage, it's really up to each individuals and couples what kind of relationship they want to have. And yet, this film is so much stuck up with one moralistic point of view - 'an affair is exciting, but it can't end well'.

So where do you find your happiness? From the gay brotherhood, of course! From the 'brothers' who were so quick to judge and expose your affair... But everything's fine because they've just won the terribly cliche and dramatic last game.

I wish gay relationship dramas can come up to date and inspire something new.

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.

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.

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!

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.