Have we collectively travelled back to the 2000's? Classic rom-com has made a return with Anybody But You, the bizarre Madame Web isn't just reminiscent of superhero fare from that decade but is actually set in it, and now we have a callback to the dramas of that era with Our Son — for better and worse.
Gabriel (Billy Porter) is at his son's, Owen (newcomer Christopher Woodley), talent show at school, enamoured by his dance. Husband Nicky (Luke Evans) arrives late and begrudgingly watches after fussing over Gabriel. The dynamic is instantly communicated; Gabriel loves Owen, and Nicky loves Gabriel. It turns out that Gabriel has been unhappy for a while, feeling that Nicky isn't fulfilling his role as a father, and files for divorce. Proceedings quickly get messy and the threat of going to court for custody over Owen looms over the once happy couple.
Our Son is a modern update of a mid 2000's drama: a domestic dispute involving a middle-class family, but here the married pair are an interracial gay couple. It has all the trappings of a stereotypical prestige drama — predictable dialogue but great performances — but the queer themes do add an interesting spin. And at the end of the day, there simply is nothing wrong with a solid melodrama.
The winning aspect of this feature is how committed the cast and crew are. Even when the narrative is fairly trite, the direction gives the actors the space to do some fine work. Harsh words and powerful statements are thrown around, but it's the lingering moments afterwards that make you empathetic towards Gabriel and Nicky. Their love, their hatred, their regret are etched onto their faces as they navigate troubled waters.
What is most surprising is the direction the story ends up taking. The film's title alludes to a collective, but in reality the emphasis is on Nicky's arc. It's made clear from the start that he isn't winning any father of the year awards, and the scales are tipped in favour of Gabriel when it comes to the audience's empathy. It's frustrating at first but it eventually becomes clear that it was by design. Gabriel, as a result, doesn't get much screen time but his few scenes are rather effective.
Supporting characters add some depth and refreshing perspectives. Nicky and Gabriel share a queer friendship group who support them both. Obviously as the divorce unfolds, it puts a strain on some of their relationships, particularly Matthew (Andrew Rannells) who finds himself in the firing line as the heat turns up. Only a director like Bill Oliver, who has explored queer themes in previous projects, could authentically portray these individuals and their dynamics in such a situation.
The plot builds towards a bittersweet ending that doesn't offer anything new but it still offers a rewarding outcome for viewers. That is what ultimately what makes Our Son worth watching; it's a competently made drama that allows its cast to make the most out of an old story with a fresh twist.
Our Son releases digitally on March 25
