The soap opera My Policeman is the decades-long story of a schoolteacher, a museum curator, and the man they both love. The film is based on the novel of the same name and draws narrative inspiration from the relationship between novelist E.M. Forster and his lover who was a police officer and his lover’s wife. Unfortunately, the historical record is more imaginative than the fictional stories we see on screen.
The film tells the story of schoolteacher Marion, her law enforcement husband Tom, and his great love Patrick. The trio start filming in 1999 as retirees. Patrick (Rupert Everett) suffers a stroke and Marion (Gina McKee) welcomes him back to her home with Tom (Linus Roach). This reunion ignites Marion’s memory, and she falls into her recollection when she finds her diary of Patrick’s.
In a flashback to their youth in 1957, Marion (played by Emma Corrin as a young woman) recalls Tom’s timid courtship attempts. Tom (Harry Styles) introduced her to Patrick (David Dawson) on the pretext of impressing her with a trip to the museum. Patrick became the tricycle of life as a couple, joining in on dates and out-of-town trips. Patrick’s diary fills in the gaps in Marion’s memory of her, telling of her passionate relationship with Tom that continued after he and Marion were married.
Director Michael Grandage skillfully uses sets and costumes to emphasize the class differences between the characters. But Grandage struggles to animate such a disastrous treatment of gay history. Treating their plight with dignity leads to a film that succumbs under the weight of Purgatory’s disappointment.
my cop
Rated R for sexual content and nudity. Running time: 1 hour 53 minutes. at the theater.