Our very own Handsome Devil Stephen Porzio checks out John Butler's latest film.
Fionn O’Shea plays Ned, an outsider at an all-boys Irish private boarding school where rugby is more important than education. His dyed red hair, his disdain for anything sports-related and his ambiguous sexuality make him a frequent target of bullying. Returning after a summer holiday, he is shocked to learn he has been assigned to share a room with Conor (Nicholas Galitzine) – a new rugby all-star who is a closeted homosexual. Helped along by their English teacher Mr Sherry (Andrew Scott), who is also harbouring a secret, the two form a bond that may challenge the troubling, preconceived notions of normalcy in their school.
Handsome Devil is infectiously charming for two main reasons. Firstly, the script by Butler is solid – filled with heart and humour. Anyone who is even slightly artistic will empathise with Ned, as he is, of course, harassed for the most minor things, such as having a poster of Suede’s debut album artwork hanging in his room, which features two men kissing. Plus, he possesses an acerbic wit as he points out all the ludicrous things that occur at his boarding school, such as the strange noises bullies make to convey that someone is gay or the rugby coach, Pascal (Moe Dunford), who is so obsessed with the sport that his wife left him.
Secondly, the performances are endearing. O’Shea carries the movie with his warm narration and swagger, while Galitzine conveys the inner turmoil of his character with authenticity. However, the real stand-out of the picture is Andrew Scott, who commands the screen in every scene. Mr Sherry begins the movie delivering intelligent but sarcastic-laced lessons to his class, with one off-hand comment about Animal Farm proving particularly funny. As the drama continues and his life becomes entangled with that of Ned and Conor, he softens, revealing his wounds, but never loses that wit.
The character Pascal, a man who stands for literally everything Mr Sherry does not, is played terrifically by Dunford. The rugby coach is the embodiment of the type of prejudice which forces people who are different to stay in the shadows. He provides a sharp contrast to Mr Sherry, who is constantly urging Conor and Ned to be heard, advice he struggles to follow himself. Dunford’s character is very broad, delivering lines such as: “For sport you have to have an empty mind. Absolutely nothing in there at all.” Yet the Patrick’s Day actor manages at moments to imbue Pascal with layers, an example being the moment where he states hilariously and tragically: “We’re all going through shit but you deal with it. You deal with it by standing in a field and blowing on a whistle.”
Handsome Devil is feel-good fun, and its messages about how bullying can lead to the bullied developing damaging patterns, and that it is better to find one’s voice and be loud, resonate strongly.
Handsome Devil is in cinemas 21st April 2017.
