Michael Grandage’s My Policeman, based on the 2012 romance novel of the same name by Bethan Roberts, is set in 1950’s England, where policeman Tom (Harry Styles/Linus Roache) marries school teacher Marion (Emma Corrin/Gina McKee) despite having fallen in love with museum curator Patrick (David Dawson/Rupert Everett), chronicling an emotional journey that spans over decades.

Through Patrick’s journal entries, we are given glimpses into the past intertwined with scenes of Roache, McKee, and Everett, who play the older versions of these three characters. Though the alternating between past and present works fine in the novel, once translated to the screen, it tends to ruin the pacing rather than aid the story in a way that’s impactful. Despite this, McKee presents a more restrained and wistful Marion which shows the evolution of Corrin’s younger Marion beautifully, but the through line in both performances, being their strength and resilience, remains and serves as one of the film’s best aspects. 

But the clear standout here is Dawson. Much like it is in Tom and Marion’s relationship, Patrick’s absence is felt in every scene that Dawson isn’t in, everything less lively without his presence. There’s good chemistry between Dawson and Styles, who shows real promise, but is definitely the weakest link in this ensemble. His naivety and stilted line delivery is fitting for Tom’s stoic character, but this is his downfall during emotional scenes that require the depth of a more experienced actor, and when contrasted against the tremendous talents that are Corrin and Dawson, Styles’ novice is made even more obvious. 

My Policeman isn’t breaking any new ground when it comes to the subject matter and at times, it skirts dangerously close to becoming an outright melodrama, but it succeeds in being a pretty faithful adaptation to the book and is still quite moving thanks to Dawson’s exceptional performance.

RATING: 3/5

INFORMATION

CAST: Harry Styles, Emma Corrin, David Dawson, Rupert Everett, Gina McKee, Linus Roache

DIRECTOR: Michael Grandage

WRITER: Ron Nyswaner

SYNOPSIS: This tale of forbidden romance follows Tom, Marion, and Patrick through their emotional journey that spans decades.