The upcoming queer drama Plainclothes, which brings together Tom Blyth and Russell Tovey in a narrative that explores complex themes of identity and societal expectations is set to open at next year's Sundance Film Festival. The highly anticipated film, directed and written by Carmen Emmi, is set in the 1990s and follows the story of Lucas, played by Blyth, a working-class undercover officer. His mission involves entrapping and apprehending gay men, yet as the plot unfolds, he finds himself attracted to one of his targets, Andrew, portrayed by Tovey.
This new project also boasts a supporting cast that includes Maria Dizzia, Christian Cooke, Gabe Fazio, and Amy Forsyth. Producers Colby Cote and Arthur Landon referred to Plainclothes as “a heartfelt story that deals with internal conflict, family, and the complexities of sexual identity in the face of societal and personal expectations,” highlighting the film's emotional depth.
Recently, excitement grew as The Sundance Film Festival announced that Plainclothes will be part of its 2025 line-up, which commences on 23 January. Along with the festival news, three new images from the film were released, showcasing pivotal moments. One particularly captivating image features Blyth's character gazing intensely at Tovey’s character in the mirror, while another snapshot, styled with a retro VHS effect, depicts the two actors in an emotionally charged encounter.
In a featurette shared by Sundance, Emmi discussed the inspiration behind Plainclothes, revealing that the idea came to him in 2016 after reading an article in the Los Angeles Times about undercover police arresting men in public restrooms. Reflecting on his family experiences, particularly the conversations with his brother, who was becoming a police officer at the time, Emmi formulated the character of Lucas. He expressed a personal connection to the setting, stating, “I wrote it here. I set it here in the 90s, which was around the time that I started suppressing my feelings as a boy.” Through this film, he articulated a desire to give his younger self a voice: “I think that I made this as a way for my 7-year-old self to finally exhale.”
Source: Noah Wire Services