Forbidden Love and Forgiveness Permeate Within My Policeman

There is an old adage spoken and shared for centuries that one can’t help who they fall in love with.  The heart never lies.  Yet, it can steer you towards someone who may not necessarily be good for you or your life.

Based on the 2012 novel of the same name by Bethan Roberts and directed by Michael Grandage, Tom (Harry Styles) a policeman in 1950s Britain, falls in love with, Marion (Emma Corrin) a schoolteacher on the Brighton coast. However, he soon begins a passionate same-sex affair with, Patrick (David Dawson) a museum curator, in spite of homosexuality being illegal.

Although, this premise is not a new one, what is is uniquely interesting about this film is the manner in which Grandage flips from the past 1950’s  to present day 1990’s  showing the actors in your youth and current age with Linus Roache and Gina McKee playing the aged married couple Tom and Marion.

Styles stretches his acting chops in this film beyond his comfortability which is to be applauded.   However, I can’t help but wonder why an LGBTQ or Non-binary actor wasn’t cast in the role given the consistent debate with this issue cinematically.  David Dawson is spectacular as the love torn Patrick which is only complimented by his aged version gorgeously portrayed by Rupert Everett.

One of my favorite scenes is between Everett and McKee on a beach where they finally have the showdown that has been lurking between them for decades.  If nothing else, My Policeman effectively conveys how judgement, prejudice and cowardice is all contingent upon choices and actions. How those actions can change and enhance a life or ruin it for an eternity with an outcome that can not be reversed.

My Policeman is now streaming on Prime Video and will remind audiences how unfortunate, even in today’s world,  who and how you love continues to be challenged, judged and micro-managed,  Here’s wishing, hoping and praying that the day will soon arrive that  love no longer has borders or boundaries.