![]() It’s a little bit ironic, then, that as the film draws to a close, Mark admits to having ‘lost his way’, when that’s unfortunately what the film ends up doing too. And the film is full of interesting, if a little bit bland, characters and a really impressive lead performance from Lincoln, who barely leaves the screen. (And that’s not just because of the hunky men in shorts.) A moody colour pallet and the muddy, rain- and sweat-slicked training sequences are contrasted by the pulsating purple lights of a nightclub its steamy moments are sepia toned and overlaid with soft music, which in turn contrast with the intense, atmospheric score during the brutal matches. It feels authentic, naturalistic and awkward without being stilted, and there are moments when the film is gorgeous. But things are made even more complicated by the ensuing secrecy and the looming presence of John (Peter McPherson), a fellow teammate and Warren’s long-term boyfriend.Ĭarter’s film is clearly a passion project, with as much emphasis on the inclusive rugby as there is on the relationship drama. It’s supposed to be a one night stand, but then they can’t seem to keep their hands off each other and it soon blossoms into a full blown affair. Sparks immediately fly when Mark meets Warren (Alexander King), a member of the club’s ‘A’ team, on a post-match night out, and the pair go from tequila shots to sex in a toilet cubicle in the space of about ten minutes. Particularly in the ‘open’ – albeit with a few rules – relationship he has with his often distant, figuratively and literally, partner Richard (Alex Hammond). Mark (Alexander Lincoln) thoroughly enjoys playing on the ‘B’ team of a gay rugby club, but is somewhat listlessly going through the motions off the pitch. ![]() Director Matt Carter is much more focused on giving queer cinema an opportunity to explore complex storylines outside the parameters of sexuality and self-discovery, even if the film doesn’t delve as deeply as it could have done into its central themes. In From The Side is a film about gay men who play rugby, but isn’t just a ‘gay sports film’. Matt Carter’s In From The Side is engrossing, beautifully shot and more than just a ‘gay sports film’, even if it does meander a little too heavily at times.
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