This movie uses the huge topic of immigration to dive into deep issues like race and class, though the heart of the story is really about sexuality. It uses a pretty unique style where it doesn't just tell you everything upfront. Instead, it peels back layers like an onion, so you slowly start to get why the characters are doing what they’re doing. I honestly loved this film; it’s very subtle and nothing feels over the top. The emotions and the way things play out feel very much in sync with what’s happening in the world today. The story kicks off in Iran, where a man named Reza is getting married even though he’s secretly gay. He gets caught with his male partner and has to run for his life, but sadly his partner is killed. The movie then jumps to Montreal, where Reza is hiding from the authorities in a church basement. Through flashbacks, we learn about his journey and meet the other main character, Saad. Saad is a migrant from Morocco who has actually changed his identity to sta...
We are introduced to our two protagonists. Ray is retired can driver, but also an aging footie thug who loves to get involved in brawls. He has two kids and multiple grandchildren. His kids are very much part of life, but ever since his wife died few years back, he lives on his own and his family and friends are his only company. And then we have Jim, who has just retired from teaching in a public school where he was also a student. Fate brings them together when Ray takes Jim from school in his cab on the retirement day. Jim has always had a single , shelter life and has only two things h wants to drafter retirement: Travel the world and fall in love. Ray, because of his own loneliness and his children using him as a babysitter, strike an unlikely friendship with Jim , especially after Jim's father has a stroke; despite their very different demeanor. Ray even jokes if Jim was gay to which he accepts that he may be. We see them growing closer to one another, till Ray tells us how he was once kissed by a boy in school and son enough their friendship turns into a romantic relationship. Jim is happy to have found love, but when reality settles in of what kids will think, Ray holds his feelings and tells Jim thatches won't work. Its only in the end when Jim comes to say goodbye to Ray, he realizes that he has spent a lot fo time thinking of hat people would think, and its time he learns to live his life for himself.
The BBC drama took what is still a thorny subject and treated it with class and sensitivity, with very well written script, daft direction and some good sensitive acting. I felt the relationship between the two men developed very organically and believably. You could feel their loneliness driving them closer together. It was also interesting to see how different their lives were. One was completely surrounded by family and had many friends but was still lonely, whereas Jim has always been a loner and a single guy with pretty much no friends. The friendship when turns to romance is also shown very nicely and sensitively. The ending was a bit rushed and I would have liked to see the impact or reactions of the family, but having said that, who cares for others, when the two men think they can enjoy each other's company and travel the world. All the threads of the story are brought together effectively and carefully whilst its potentially controversial scenes are handled with sensitivity. I would quite highly recommend this little known gem of a film, that tugs your heart and reiterated the faith in love and that it can happen to anyone, anytime. (7/10)
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