210. Dating Amber; movie review

DATING AMBER
Cert 15
92 mins
BBFC advice: Contains strong language, sex references, discrimination, drug references

What must it be like to come out as gay at school?
Of course, I can't answer my own question but, thanks to Dating Amber, I can imagine the conflict faced by those in that position.
Indeed, I think back to the very macho environment of my school and it makes me shudder to contemplate anyone announcing anything against accepted behaviour.
My son is a teacher and says that nowadays gay and transgender boys and girls have come out and are not bullied.
But such is the nature of society that they would have inevitably have faced turmoil at some point.
David Freyne's film is set in Ireland during the mid-1990s. Anyone who is different faces verbal persecution at school so Eddie (Fionn O’Shea) and Amber (Lola Petticrew) agree to a relationship of convenience to prevent taunts about their perceived sexuality.
Actually, Eddie has hidden his so faces much less ridicule than Amber but sees a tie-up with her as a way of avoiding the 'girlfriend' question.
Inevitably, this arrangement is fraught - and Eddie feels forced deeper into public denial - even going to far as applying to follow his dad into the army.
Indeed, his occasional aggression pushes the audience to have more empathy with Amber - who is trying to do the right thing for him as well as herself.
Freyne's movie is an honest and occasionally amusing delve into teenage turmoil and exploration and well as a flicker of parental pathos.
It prompted me to cringe several times as a recalled my own difficult school years and clumsy conversations with girls.
But, unfortunately, it didn't make me laugh - so I cannot give it higher marks.

Reasons to watch: Light but meaningful take on the turmoils of being a gay teenager
Reasons to avoid: I suspect it is far too simplistic at times

Laughs: None
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 6/10

Did you know? In Ireland, homosexuality was decriminalised in 1993 and most forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation are now outlawed. Ireland also forbids incitement to hatred based on sexual orientation.

The final word. Lola Petticrew: “The sense of anger at yourself, or guilt or shame, is something that is taught with compulsory heterosexuality. That’s something that takes a really long time to untangle in your brain.” Evening Standard

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