Plainclothes

I really struggle to care about romance films. Love is such a private, subjective, and in many ways arbitrary experience and, as a show-don't-tell medium, movies in my opinion just aren't an easy art through which to explore how people feel it. Generally movies standardize it to "well she fills his X deficit/need and he fills her Y deficit/need and that's why they work". I don't care about such contrived, transactional relationship.

Plainclothes, however, completely breaks through this trap. For spoilers I won't detail how, but this easily the most "real" romance I've seen in recent memory, perhaps late memory. I teared up several times in this one. If you're gay or bi, this is especially moving. But even if you're not, you're in for a novel concept and a tense story to keep you glued through an eye-opening experience about gay love, or the lackthereof...

Another reason this works so well is that, while substantively a tragic romance, it FEELS like you're watching a thriller due to the pacing, anxious cinematography, and tense writing structure.

So, so good. Keep an eye out on the creative team. Exceptional film.

Watched at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.

The experiences of how gay individuals are going through and the homophobia around is sad and unfortunate, especially with today's climate. Director Carmen Emmi has created an interesting movie about heartbreak, lust, gay identity, and closeted emotions with great performances from Tom Blyth and Russell Tovey, atmospheres, direction, and writing throughout. The narrative strikes with some interesting themes, character dynamics and tension revolving around its setting. While it's conventional writing does have some moments that feel a bit messy, no doubt Emmi has an ambitious tale to tell.

The theme about love and the closeted aspects of being gay is explored pretty well. Examining the troubled effects and feelings one can go through and using a cop vibe approach is quite an interesting take. As mentioned, the main two lead performances are great as the feelings and emotions they are going through are both, while aren't perfect, understandable and honest. Editing wise, there are some weird editing choices that are a bit headaching, alongside with some strange dialogue choices and pacing that feels aimless.

Otherwise, it's a good romantic thriller that achieves with its purpose and themes. Providing a really good third act that leaves the satisfaction on rise.

The film has the intimate feel of an exclusive memoir, the chemistry between the two actors takes the audience's breath away, the wonderful performances and images make an old story very beautiful, and the language of the shots can make you feel it!

The first encounter between the two actors is well shot, and the first half of the film is when the audience is fascinated by their story. The film's biggest feature is the way it is edited, the old DV machine cuts and the sound of the machine malfunctioning create a sense of tension and anxiety. As a fan of Russell Tovey, I think compared with his previous gay movies, his performance in this movie is very fitting and reaches another level.

From another perspective, this is like our real grindr story, sometimes you will fall in love with a stranger after ONS, which is beautiful, but it is painful and can not be eternal.

Definitely one of the films you must watch in 2025.

I hope we all find our own San Francisco.

It's 2025 and why are gay themed films still examining men coming out, in this case, when it appears to be set a few decades back. This story has been done over and over again, for decades, and while this is an excellent film, it would be great if film makers moved on to some other facet of gay life.

What saves this film is that it's fairly well written and the performances are outstanding. Tom Blythe is exceptional in the lead role and the entire film's plot is grounded in reality, even if it's a sad reality.

What brings the movie down is the decision, I assume, to film this as if it were actually filmed decades ago on the worst camcorder ever. The movie looks cheaply made and there are too many ugly video effects added. The editing and many quick cuts don't help. With as many fine actors that there are in this I doubt the decision to film this with horrible cinematography was one of budget , but of choice. It was a bad idea. It takes away from the film and overall the film is very moving and has a real message.

I went into this film blind and did not know what to expect .Found Great acting and and an amazing capture of the stress, anxiety and fear one felt in the late 90's being a closeted gay man; told with flashbacks of home movie clips appropriate for each time period from the 70's 80's and 90's. It really highlights the trauma done to men who experience this. The panic sequences were really well done I hope younger audiences can appreciate that it wasn't as easy back then.

I felt what the characters felt, i've been there. I was stunned that a film can make me remember those feelings. Fear, panic, compassion and tears means a job well done.