In from the Side *** (2022, Alexander Lincoln, Alexander King, Christopher Sherwood) – Movie Review

The likeable 2022 British gay romantic and sports film In from the Side is written (with Adam Silver) and directed by Matt Carter, who was involved in inclusive rugby for eight years, so the sports detail is taken care of nicely. In perhaps a refreshing change for a LGBT film, coming out and homophobia are not on the agenda, so the drama here is all about two men carrying on an adulterous affair, deceiving everyone they are supposed to love and care for.

It’s a moral story. A relationship started in deception, can only lead to more deception. That’s the message. It’s as simple as that. Sounds a bit old fashioned, put like that, but it’s always time for a moral story.

Alexander Lincoln stars as Mark, the new, talented rugby player on the B team at a London gay rugby club. Alexander King plays Warren, the star player on the A team.

Though they have long-term partners, they have a drunken sexual encounter, which continues into an affair they try to keep from their partners and teammates as Warren’s partner is also a player on the A team. Then Warren gets himself attached to the B team, provoking jealousy and hatred, and upsetting the balance of the rugby club.

Alexander Lincoln as Mark, Alexander King as Warren.

The production and the acting are quite impressive for the most part. The essential rugby world and London team details are convincingly sketched and portrayed, and so is city life, while Lincoln and King do well to keep interest level high in the ups and down and possible long-term future of their relationship. We are however required to invest in a relationship forged in deception, and to help do this Matt Carter offers the appealing leads very dull partners, with little screen time or charismatic dialogue, so the battle is unfair and unequal.

The other characters are all a bit sketchy and underdeveloped, so they are not all that interesting then. Peter McPherson as Warren’s boyfriend John, Alex Hammond as Mark’s boyfriend Richard, Pearse Egan as tubby team mate Pinky, William Hearle as Mark’s best buddy Henry all could enjoy better written roles (though the actors do well enough). Nevertheless Lincoln and King hold the centre firm and strong, and go to it with full commitment and conviction. They are the film in many ways.

The main downsides of the film are its excessive length of 2 hours 14 minutes, where a much shaper edit would make a much smoother and more compelling ride; Matt Carter’s irritating, sometime intrusive and pointless score; and possibly some script and minor character weaknesses. To compensate, the dialogue is good – real feeling, sometimes poignant, sometimes funny – and the story is involving and enjoyable.

The film was shown at the BFI Flare Festival in 2022. It was released in the UK on 16 September 2022, rated 15.

An evident labour of love by Matt Carter, it was backed by crowdfunding.

The 6′ 3″ Alexander Lincoln was born on January 21, 1994 in Lambeth, London. He is known for playing Jamie Tate on TV’s Emmerdale, playing 298 episodes in 2019-2021.

The cast are Alexander Lincoln as Mark, Alexander King as Warren, Christopher Sherwood as Jimmy, Peter McPherson as Warren’s boyfriend John, Alex Hammond as Mark’s boyfriend Richard, Pearse Egan as tubby team mate Pinky, William Hearle as Mark’s best buddy Henry, Ivan Comisso as Carlos, Carl Loughlin as Gareth, Kane Surry as Olli, Mary Lincoln as Mark’s mum Alice, Chris Garner as Mark’s dad Stuart, Frank Assi, Tom Murphy, and Nigel Fairs.

© Derek Winnert 2022 Movie Review

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