As Harry Styles said..."This movie is about wasted time"......

Just wanted to let you both know that this was a book adaptation, based on a real life experience of the author (a love triangle with ‘bob’ Buckingham and his wife . The story in my opinion was really touching. I do believe that at the end Marion did have to leave, even if she didn’t resolve anything really. It’s really interesting, so if you guys have free time it would be something you could look into

i feel like so often when we watch movies or series set in these times we think "back then it must have been so scary" or "i cant imagine having to hide so much" but i think people forget to acknowledge that this kind of society is still how much of our world functions. This fear and danger and hiding may be somewhat a thing of the past for some countries but many parts of the world people are still living in this type of situation

you should watch Harry's commentaries on the film, he and David described it in such a beautiful way. And as a harry fan, he was in 'don't worry darling' as well and you can see how much more comfortable he is in this role than in that one. He was also in Dunkirk a Christopher Nolan movie in 2017. Loved your reaction

My Policeman is based on Bethan Roberts’ 2012 book of the same name,which was inspired by the real-life love triangle between writer E.M. Forster, policeman Robert “Bob” Buckingham and his wife May Buckingham. Like Tom Burgess and Patrick Hazlewood in My policeman, there was also an age gap between E.M., who was 51, and Bob, who was 28, when they met. Also like Tom’s wife, Marion Taylor, Bob’s wife, May, was also a nursemaid for E.M.in the later years of his life.

When I saw Tom watching the young couple outside the shop, or Hawk, as you say, watching the streets of San Francisco I can feel their pain to be robbed of their lives just because they were born a few years before. It's so unfair. And how many real men and women had to feel this?

The book is from Marion's perspective and I found her really aggravating in the book. So in that way the movie was a pleasant surprise.

If you’re enjoying period films, Maurice would be such a great option for a reaction video! Hugh Grant, James Wilby, and Rupert Graves!

The whole cast is queer. The director said they wanted the characters to be played as true to the core as possible. P.s. Harry styles fought for the role. And later in the interviews said the movie is about lost time and how that is the most devastating thing ever.

The guy playing Patrick is David Dawson, and yes he is INCREDIBLE in this. I think Harry did good too, considering that he is not a professional actor. His heart was in this though, and it shows. I think he could be much better with the right director - he was brilliant in that small role of Dunkirk, for example.

That ending had me sobbing, it wasn't a happy nor a sad ending it was just bitter-sweet. As harry said multiple times in interviews about the movie; it really highlights wasted time, and that's what gets me, all the time they lost. Also I don't know if it'd be a genre you enjoy but you should watch dunkirk directed by christopher nolan to see more of harry's acting he killed that role, it was his acting debut and might be his best acting imo, I think you'd agree. The movie's really good too.

The showrunner for Fellow Travelers wrote the screenplay for this film ❤

Remember also that Marion did not learn the truth of Tom & Patrick's relationship until after the marriage. Divorce was a far more taboo matter at the time, perceived as a tremendous moral failure. Given the cultural context of the day, Marion deserves some sympathy as well. She acted very harshly but also understandably given Tom's lie. --Not equating the scale of her experience with that of Patrick or Tom. I just think it's important to consider all sides of the equation.

I love how they added in a quick view of Harry Syles right after Linus Roach reaches out and touches Rupert Everets hand. As though Rupert was remembering the past for a moment.

I love this movie, but it's definitely not perfect, and the points you brought up are really valid. I do think the movie is too much on the side of "we all hurt each other equally" when what happened to Patrick is on a completely different level. As far as the emphasis on Marion's POV, I feel conflicted about it as well because while I'm gay, I'm also a woman. There are so many stories about infidelity (gay and straight) in which The Wife/Girlfriend is not afforded sympathy or a POV of her own. It ties into the larger trend, historically, of female characters across media, which is finally FINALLY changing. I appreciate the fact that Marion isn't just a villain or just a victim, but a complex human being in her own right. There's also an argument to be made as to the value of including points of entry/accessibility for straight people engaging with queer stories. I don't think we're obligated at all to make straight people feel comfortable or pardoned from accountability, but I did watch this movie with my mom, and I know her experience of it would have been very different without Marion's POV. My mom was raised in a very conservative and homophobic environment, and the journey she's been on these last few years since I came out has been amazing to witness (I'm very lucky and proud of her 💖) While she felt deep sympathy for Patrick and Tom, Marion was the character that challenged and clearly made her uncomfotable, particularly in the scene where Marion's called out by her fellow teacher. I think there's profound value in straight people recognizing their own past/present homophobia through the lens of the damage it does to queer people.

i believe marion is very much the villian and the book especially was not trying to give her sympathy, even tho i dont think the movie really did either. i think they took the title of the book and movie "my policeman" and both halves of the movie showed patrick's perspective of seeing tom as "his policeman" and then the other half showing marion's perspective of loving "her policeman." i think it was trying to show how patrick loved tom selflessly but because of the society he was in it was seen as selfish, whereas marion loved selfishly but because she was a woman loving a man, she was actually entitled when she thought she was being selfless and doing what was 'right' for tom. she had more flashbacks to the present tho, which could come off as it being about her and being self-righteous, but i more so see it as patrick and tom having past flashbacks because that's where their life kind of "ended" as free people whereas she got more of the future because she got to continue "living" even when they didn't. this is one of my favorite lgbtq+ films because of how much it showed the difference in chemistry and how different tom is with them. he's a kind and innocent person in patrick eyes, when tom could truly be himself, but stern and stubborn in marion's eyes when he's with her. i think that really showed how when someone queer is forced into the closet and to hide, they have to hide all of themselves, even the good. sorry this comment is long, i always enjoy your guys' reactions and adore hearing about your perspectives. you're also both so funny!! im so happy to see the channel evolving and growing too :)

Great reaction, guys. I remember Rupert Everett was a big star in the 90s, then he just disappeared. The reason why all makes sense now. I've watched this movie about 5 times and that last shot of Tom and Patrick always gets me. I like to think that now since times have changed and they can be out and free, Patrick will be out of that chair in no time and they can have at least a few good decades together.

The director said the movie had an all queer cast.

Strong recommendation to watch Linus Roache in 1994’s Priest and Rupert Everett in 2018’s The Happy Prince for further representation of the terrors of the closet

I'm so glad the story was told from her perspective. There are just too many LGBT+ stories about the guys getting together and blithely trampling the woman underfoot. Everyone is too busy cheering on the guys, but no-one spares a thought about the broken woman underneath. This tale provides some sort of balance, even if the outcome is bittersweet.

Sorry to post it here, but just want to share my recent discovery of the Queer as Folk show (the US version of the original 8 episodes UK show of the same name that aired in the UK in 1999). It ran on Showtime for 5 seasons from 2000 to 2005, has 83 episodes all together. What an incredible masterpiece, it is groundbreaking and so ahead of it's time that it still feels absolutely relevant. It has well developed characters and compelling story lines that pull you in and never let go. Also, the show is full of incredibly hot, very explicit gay sex/love scenes. I understand it is a lot of material to react to, so even if you don't, please do yourself a favor and watch it if you haven't yet. I did watch the UK original series as well and it was ok, but the US version is something else entirely.

If you have the occasion, you should read the book! It explains all the confusion that you can feel while watching the movie, and in my opinion it's even more emotional than the movie :)

I think the thing that bummed me out about this movie is that the story didn't actually have to be a tragedy - it was based on E.M. Forster and Bob Buckingham's relationship (Bob was married to a woman, and Forster lived with them in his later years), but the three of them ultimately coexisted peacefully - no one sent anyone to prison, no one was permanently destroyed by it, etc. I think it could have been a much more interesting story to see how all three coped with sort of achieving equilibrium and a sort of happiness but also never quite having precisely the life they wanted - there is loss there too, albeit more nuanced, that I think would have been just as fascinating to explore

You're right. The way they had sex, since the first time, was sweet and intimate. Other movies, like "Brokeback Mountain" or "God's own country" or "Fellow travelers", show us rough first times. Here, it's natural and sweet, without the fear, the shame or wtf happened when you feel uncomfortable in what you do, because the whole world said that it's wrong. Patrick is a proud man, years before the Pride. Maybe careful, but he knows there is no guilt in what he does.

David Dawson (young Patrick) also did a great job in Ripper Street - a series from 2012-2016 based in 1889-1897 . Not queer focussed but it comes up

Thank you for reacting to this beautiful movie Alex and Josh. Did you notice in the final scene how the present day Tom and Young Tom each were reunited with Patrick?

"Back in the day it was scary" Always gets me because well I was living the exact same life till 2018 in my country..

It’s definitely a well cast movie! I regret not watching it earlier.

If you get the chance, I highly recommend watching the landmark gay film VICTIM from 1961 - not only is it a landmark film in terms of gay representation of its period, several years before decriminalisation, but it stars gay actor Dirk Bogarde in an amazingly strong performance.

Please can you review Jimmy McGovern's "Priest" where you will see Linus Roache as a priest and LGBT representation! This is why I loved seeing Linus cast in My Policeman.

Reminds me of 'Man in an Orange Shirt' 2017 TV movie. I only watched part 1 because it took place in the 1940's after WWII.

Linus Roach plays the older Patrick and was the Lucy's dad in Fellow Travelers!

It's great to hear two people who didn't live it try to discern how people had to live in that time. I love knowing that you didn't have that experience and it's a puzzle for you. It's very heartening for me. Thanks

Alex don't be afraid to give your opinions. I find them interesting. You see stuff that I miss. Bring on the controversy. 🙃

For me, taking the perspective of the wife is a choice that; while I wouldnt have made it as an author myself; I can understand the reason behind it. The wife basically takes the position of the audience surrogate. So, we are watching it from her point of view. We dont get any flashbacks of what is going on between Patrick and Tom until she enters the picture. My biggest issue with the story is the reaction some audiences have of Marion's choice to leave in the end. A lot of people see it as her "finally" doing the right thing, and somehow wanting to give her some sort of pass because she made the right choice eventually. I cant give her that grace. Tom said it best: She ruined his (Patrick's) life. And, I am sorry, I dont think I could ever forgive her for it.

David Dawson is so underrated

I loved this movie even though it broke me. And when I read the book it broke me even more

Just going to leave my weekly plea for Good Omens here. Thanks guys!

the past few days i’ve been binge watching your guys videos and i’m obsessed so i just subbed to the patreon 😂 i just have to see your full reactions to stuff so im about to go on another binge 🫶🏼

Subscribed after your review of Saltburn :D Love you both! We have the same sense of humour and i love your serious chats too. ty for showing me more lgbtq+ films 💗

Gotta go to work in a few minutes but I’ll definitely be back to watch this evening. Thanks Alex and Josh

I always watch these on the treadmill so I LOVE when they’re longer

Thanks for another great video! I also recommend "The Imitation Game", if you haven't seen it yet.

I watched this just yesterday and thought it was very moving, I betrayed to read the book now. Love your reactions btw!

As a Harrie and a massive fan of y’all IM SAT

Yayyyy another great one! Still desperately begging you to react to Rocketman, you'd love it

I think I've watched this video at least 8 times by now; I love your balance of comedy, insight, and heartfelt engagement. I would LOVE to see what you think about some older gay movies, particularly "Maurice" and "My Beautiful Laundrette" 💖

Have you seen The Happy Prince? Rupert Everett plays Oscar Wilde. He also directed and I think wrote it.

I actually got really annoyed at some HS fans when press for this was going around. It is assumed by a large section of fans that he is in the closet. A lot of them will make commentary about it, ask friends and family members invasive questions, and don't even get me started on the theory he's in a secret relationship with one of his former band mates. Just because someone is famous it doesn't give the public the right to know everything about them. I don't know of course if Harry is indeed queer, but if he is and wants to keep that to himself that is his right. Someone's sexuality is no one's business but their own. It pisses me off when people try to out someone. And Harry has had to deal with just that for over a decade now. People need to mind their business.

such a beautiful thoughtful reaction I would expect nothing less from the both of you 🥰🥰 I know it’s not super popular and well know but I think you both would absolutely LOVE man in an orange shirt. It has similar themes to this but is deeply heartbreaking and moving but also soo fan worthy 🥵

Thanks for posting this! ❤ please also consider reviewing Three Months ❤ 😊

“My Policeman” was made by the same people who made “Fellow Travelers”.

I loved the movie! Im a massive Harry Styles fan, but a almost forgot he was in it as everyone was so good. I cried my eyes out! I had full compassion for all of them & what they all went through. I just wanted them all to be happy & not waste one more second being sad & scared in the end. I love them all. ❤

Great reaction! I recommend Firebird and Operation Hyacinth next

I love your reaction videos and this was again a really good one. I saw this movie a while back. If you haven't seen it yet I recommend "Consenting Adults" (2007) from the BBC about the Wolfenden committee.

I was waiting for this!!!❤❤❤

Suggestion: Dog Day Afternoon, 1975 heist movie with a bi (… gay?) Al Pacino with a trans partner. Very 1970s, in both good and questionable ways. It’s also very American.

I adore you both! OMG, thank you for saying what we're all thinking. Cheers darlings. XO

My Policeman is my 2nd favorite movie and it was nice to hear another opinion even if I didn't agree on everything that was said at the end of the video 😅but it also opened my mind. And for the fact that the scenario seems to be more written from Marion's perspective is because in the book My Policeman, the point of view is shared between Marions's memories and feelings and Patrick's diary. So we don't have Tom's point of view at all and Patrick's is only spread through some things he wrote many years before, but I have never realized how much this impacted the movie before you pointed it out so thank you.

speak on it! i think a lot of people agree with you when it comes to this movie, me included, it sympathizes way too much with marion for my liking. i understand they were all put in a difficult situation but like you said it feels like we´re seeing it more from her pov and theyre trying to equalize their experiences and it made me so angry at some points, literally the first time i watched the movie i said the same exact thing about how She was the ending shot ?? it just made me so angry, when alex said it i literally screamed "thank you!!!!!" at my screen. you guys were honestly on point with everything you said really, i agree with it all. love your videos, great reaction as usual!!

I think it would be interesting for you to see a 1994 film called "Priest". Linus Roache, who played the older Tom Burgess in this movie, portrays a priest struggling with his homosexuality. I'm also curious if you know that he is the son of actor William Roache (Ken Barlow on Coronation Street).

Oh marion is hated bigtime by most viewers especially ones who read the book while waiting for the film. But i think her character is def in a way the villain of the story especially in the book, they didn't make her as dislikable in the film. And while I get the people who sympathize with her, it still doesn't the least bit justify what she did

Age difference too Patrick is in his 30’s and Tom in his early 20’s. Patrick is educated. Tom is not.

This movie is so beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. No one ever reacts to this movie so I'm happy you guys did.

Have you had a chance to see All of us strangers yet? 🙂 I'm going to the cinema next Sunday and if I could get a reaction to Weekend (also directed by Andrew Haigh) for that occasion, that would be amazing... 😇 But no pressure... 😅

The advantage of being deaf is that I need to take off my hearing aids when washing my hair so at the hairdresser’s I can always enjoy blissful silence while they’re massaging my skull and cutting my hair. No small talk ever. Its excellent

Please Alex don't worry about people reaction to your thoughts, it was honest and as valid as any other view. I share a new reflex I had today. I have just watched this movie this afternoon. and at the end my reaction was: did Josh and Alex reacted to it? so I came here 😁

i think your looking at this to much from your perspective because so much today is accepted. in the early years of this timeline homosexuality was a crime, divorce was a shun. getting married while in love with someone else was ruining lives she gave up most of here life knowing the man she loved was not in love with her but someone else throuple thing rarely work today. just like trans life usually ends in suicided

So Linus Roache, who plays the older Tom, was in a gay film called Priest (1994). It's pretty....naughty. 😉 Add that to your list! Keep it up you two, love your content. ❤️😊

love this movie a lot. i rewatch quite often for my own sanity haha! as a harry fan it was definitely an experience to witness this movie considering all the criticism of his role and esp w certain people thinking he was doing this as a form of queerbaiting and just certain narratives they try and push onto him. in my opinion (i could be biased) but i love this movie / role more than his past roles in ‘dont worry darling’ and ‘dunkirk’. i can see how it can be seen as not a well acted part tho! :)

Very excited for this!

Very much praying this isn't like super cheeky to suggest but I'm hoping after one of the shows you guys are watching right now finishes, you guys could consider reacting to Druck (the German skam) in the future? It's nothing like the other remakes you've reacted to, as it doesn't follow the formula of the original and feels like a completely different show, including the twist of the Evan character! The Isak and Evan characters in it are my favorite versions of them in the Skam universe, and I feel it would be a great watch for you both and won't feel repetitive and like it won't keep you guessing :) Show less

Really good film, emotional. Love your reaction

OMGGGGG!!!!! I JUST SAW THIS MOVIE TODAY. 😅❤

The book is written in Marion's perspective and Patrick's (through diary), but we never get Tom's perspective. Also in the book, in the end Marion just leaves a note and doesn't personally talk to either of them before leaving. The book and the movie are the same and not at the same time, you get very different feelings about the characters and the story. Loved your reaction.

The cost of Josh’s chapstick is prolly equal to my mortgage. 😏

Alex do you not use a cushion for your knees?? I find it makes such a difference!

I straight (huh?) up cried during this film.

yall have to react to "the boys in the band(2020)"

I just found your channel after my larry algorithm fed it to me. Loved your reaction and mission. I look forward to digging into more of your content. 😍

They are finally here

david dawson absolutely stole this movie, excited to check out other stuff he's been in!!

Lol watching this at the saloon 😂😂😂 laughing n crying behind my sunnies

Hi :) If you have the chance please take a look at "Milk" and "When We Rise".

About the report part, well, find out that your partner is a homosexual back then is basically equals nowadays find out your partner is a pedophile, they were all considered, as sexual pervert. Think about that if I find out my partner is like that, I don’t know what I would choose.

Why you're so late???? This movie is from the book, but.... I must say it's not a perfect adaptation. Unfortunately they delete the best parts! Specialy Venice trip. Where that Patrik says: let's just stay and live here.just you and me.and be free. Also, they don't do that at the first drawing meeting. Tom goes to Patrik's house several times before. And, when Patrik is in jail, my god! He tells his and his policeman story and they hit him and hit him everytime he open his mouth..... Eventualy, it couls be so much better. But I watched it for Harry several times!!! I really love gay Harry😉

This is adapted from a beautiful book by Bethan Roberts. It was directed by Michael Grandage (who is gay) and two of the main stars are LGBT (Emma and David - who can say about Harry...). I think it is harder for the younger generation to understand the reality and constraints of the 40's/50/s/60/s and can be rather harsh in their judgement. Marion was brought up to believe one thing and the law and state was telling her that it was wrong. Then Tom lied to her and made her believe that he loved her. She was completely blindsided. What she did was awful and it ruined all of their lives (Patrick being the worst off), but people DO act in the heat of the moment and terrible things do occur all of the time. You are right to acknowledge how easy it is today in comparison. Also, it is supposed to be the 90s not modern day when we see the older versions of Tom, Patrick and Marion. I liked the film, but actually the book is miles better.

He's very Wilhelm... I-💀🥲

Just a heads up that Emma Corrin uses they/them prounouns, think you were using she/her at start 💛 I've read the book & I was pleasantly surprised at how well the film lived up to it. The book is all told from Marion & Patrick's POV, I'd love a book/film just from Tom. If you want another period film please check out A Single Man: Colin Firth, Matthew Goode & Julianne Moore in the 60s = incredible!! 🤩

I agree with you regarding Harry Styles' acting abilities .... not exactly Oscar nomination stuff. I prefer Troye Sivan's acting qualities and I would like to see Troye do more with his acting, but I think he said that the music side of his profession takes a higher priority over everything else.

As fan of Harry is important for other people that are not in the fandom and know him to understand that this is Harry's way of saying he is Tom. In a absolute normal and ideal life and period of time, Tom wouldn't have to hide his true self marring a woman and Harry wouldn't be pushed to have straight public relationships to have a career in the film and music industry because queer artists don't sell well. And no, i am not assuming, closeting exists, Harry has been clear about himself for years, people and expecially some fans just refuse to read what's between the lines...

This movie is a risk for a music artist like Harry, especially with his lil weird accent 😂 But boy did love the book so much that he could remember every dialogue and ended up getting the role, so I’ll cut him some slack for that 😂

This is a british brokeback mountain!

You and your fan😄😄😄

Written by Ron who wrote Fellow travellers but he did not direct it!

As its been said this is a book adaptation and the film misses some of the nuances of the relationships between each of them that you get in the book. As some bits they've changed some bits. The book is a mixture of Marion's perspective and Patrick's perspective as Marion reads his journal, represented in the flashbacks.

I wonder if the intention was to show how by refusing to let one group of people live their truth you rob all people of the opportunity to truly be free. All three of them were victims of the times they lived in, she was just the lesser of the three victims. Patrick was the one who truly suffered the most despite being the one you lived closest to his truth.

28:50ish... It's called my policeman... Who is the "my"? The book this is based on is from her point of view. She's going back through her diary. ❤

Story is telling from two point of view. Marion and Patrik..

total agree on harry‘s acting abilities