My Policeman
My Policeman
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that My Policeman is a British romantic drama with a number of sex scenes, nudity, and smoking. The movie shifts between the 1950s and 1990s and is about the relationship between policeman Tom Burgess (Harry Styles and Linus Roache) and museum curator Patrick Hazelwood (David Dawson and Rupert Everett). During the '50s, the pair are shown having various sexual encounters including oral and penetrative sex, and masturbation. There is also male nudity from behind. Tom tries to repress his feelings and marries schoolteacher Marion (Emma Corrin and Gina McKee) lying to her about his sexuality. They too are shown having sex, though it's brief and non-graphic. Nearly all the characters smoke, especially in the '50s. During the '90s period, Patrick is recovering from a stroke but still demands his cigarettes. Characters drink on occasion and there are a few instances of drunkenness including Tom turning up at Patrick's flat drunk. Homophobic violence includes a character being beaten up in prison and there is reference to someone being killed in an attack. Based on a 2012 novel the film highlights some of the struggles the LGBTQ+ community faced in 1950s England.
Community Reviews
Truly amazing film!
Report this review
What's the Story?
In MY POLICEMAN, married couple Tom and Marion Burgess (Linus Roache and Gina McKee) are forced to face up to their past when old friend Patrick Hazelwood (Rupert Everett) moves in with them.
Is It Any Good?
Set in Brighton, England, and adapted from a 2012 novel of the same name, this romantic drama jumps back and forth between the 1950s and 1990s. At the heart of My Policeman is a gay love story and the struggles that homosexual men in particular faced both from society and the law in the not too distant past. In a series of prolonged flashbacks, pop star turned actor Harry Styles plays Tom Burgess, a policeman who falls in love with museum curator, Patrick Hazelwood (David Dawson). But at a time when being gay was illegal in the United Kingdom, the two hide their relationship and Tom marries Marion (Emma Corrin) instead.
The film does a good job of depicting the struggles that men like Tom and Patrick faced. The secrecy, the threat of violence and arrest, and the impact that all had on their well-being. However, the film suffers from a poor script and unfortunately Styles doesn't convince that his leap from pop stardom to silver screen will be a seamless one. With the likes of seasoned pros such as McKee and Everett -- who play the older versions of Marion and Patrick -- and the impressive Dawson, Styles' performance takes you out of the moment, which is to the detriment of the film.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how My Policeman portrayed sex? Was it affectionate? Respectful? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
Which character did you have most sympathy with and why?
Were you shocked to see how the LGBTQ+ community were treated in 1950s England? Do you think things have changed today and if so, in what ways?
How were drinking and smoking portrayed? Were there consequences? Why is that important?
How did the filmmakers use "flashbacks" to tell the story? What other movies have you seen that have used similar techniques?
Movie Details
- In theaters: October 21, 2022
- On DVD or streaming: November 4, 2022
- Cast: Harry Styles, Emma Corrin, David Dawson
- Director: Michael Grandage
- Studio: Amazon Prime Video
- Genre: Romance
- Run time: 113 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: sexual content
- Last updated: December 1, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
-
Supernova
Heartfelt love story about dementia has intense content.
-
Summer of 85
French teen drama has strong language, suicide references.
-
Moonlight
Heartbreaking, mature, unforgettable coming-of-age drama.
For kids who love LGBTQ+ stories
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate