‘My Policeman’ just might break your heart
Photo Courtesy of British GQ
Warning: Spoilers Ahead!
Audiences agree that “My Policeman,” starring Emma Corrin, David Dawson and Harry Styles, is a heartbreaking masterpiece. The film chronicles the relationship between Marion, Tom and Patrick, beginning later in their lives, as Marion fully learns of Tom and Patrick’s romantic relationship, and going back in time to better grasp the mutual failures of each of their relationships.
“My Policeman” begins in the present moment with older Patrick (Rupert Everett) moving in with older Marion (Gina McKee) and older Tom (Linus Roache), much to the latter’s protest. Marion cares for Patrick’s basic needs, acting like an in-home nurse, but the contention in the house grows too much to bear due to Tom’s resistance to Patrick.
Viewers then are transported back to the late 1950s when the pinnacle of the three characters’ relationships merge and foster into multiple romantic relationships, all including young Tom (Harry Styles). We are able to understand the situations of each relationship in the past, while seeing the impact it has had on all of their lives, but especially older Marion’s life with her discovery of Patrick’s journal detailing his relationship with “his policeman.”
The attention to detail in the storytelling and cinematography of “My Policeman” is unparalleled. This detail is especially present in the choice of colors in each costume for the three primary characters. Throughout the film, audiences can decode that the colors each character wears hold great significance to their actions.
There is an overall heavy emphasis on the colors blue and green throughout “My Policeman,” but others are especially telling of individual characters.
When we are first introduced to younger Marion (Emma Corrin), most of her outfits consist of sky blue, teal, hunter green and some maroon. Young Tom’s color coordinated outfits are more navy, black and dark green. Young Patrick (David Dawson) mostly wears yellows, browns and grays, with him even going as far as being doused in yellow light throughout the entirety of the film, from youth to old age.
Critics disliked the “unimaginative” style of the film and story, but that is what makes it so powerful. It is maybe not the most creative story, but is told in a truly impactful way, through all of the nuances and details in each performance by Corrin, Dawson, Styles, McKee, Everett and Roache.
“My Policeman” is a heartbreaking but beautiful film that can now be streamed on Amazon Prime Video. Be prepared to use a box or two of tissues!
