Plainclothes

AroView: A ‘coming out’ drama that really stands out in the genre – set in 1997 Syracuse where local police are pandering to conservative concerns associating horny gay men with sex criminals. Tom Blyth is superb as a rookie cop assigned to the dirty business of ensnaring men in public toilets, but whose closeted sexuality is profoundly awakened by one of his targets (Russell Tovey).

The low-grade video flashbacks lend the film a literal grit, but first-time feature director Carmen Emmi writes with a tender heart and gives his protagonist a three-dimensional life that, through skillful control, is built upon and steered to a surprising and very satisfying finale.

“Very fine performances from Tom Blyth and Russell Tovey keep you glued to this sexy, sad, authentically gritty drama.” ~David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter

“Consequences, choices, love, identity, and paranoia are all at the center of this mesmerizing thriller.” ~Mae Abdulbaki, Screen Rant

“Plainclothes feels seductively alive when Lucas and Andrew are alone together…” ~Carlos Aguilar, RogerEbert.com