Two men in a gay men’s rugby club must conceal an adulterous affair they unwittingly fall into before it leads to the collapse of the delicate social and political fabric of the club.
In from the Side (2022)
In From the Side is a poignant gay-themed drama, romance, and sport about a gay rugby team in London, directed by Matt Carter and released in 2022. With the help of a Kickstarter campaign, Carter was able to create a movie that explores the complexities of balancing personal relationships and ambition within a team dynamic.
It stars actors Alex Lincoln, Alexander King, Carl Loughlin, Chris Garner, Christopher Sherwood, Franck Assi, Ivan Comisso, Kane Surry, Mary Lincoln, Nigel Fairs, Pearse Egan, Peter McPherson, Robbie Main, and Tom Murphy.
The story follows Mark (Alexander Lincoln), a member of the South London Stags, a gay rugby club struggling with financial difficulties. Mark is in an open relationship with his partner and is initially attracted to Warren (Alexander King), a player from another team. Despite both of them being in relationships, they begin an affair that threatens to unravel the fragile dynamics of their team.
The film explores themes of betrayal, love, and the impact that personal choices can have on a community. The rugby scenes are well-executed, depicting the brutality and camaraderie of the sport with realism. The actors give convincing performances, particularly Pearse Egan as Pinkie, the team’s comedian, who delivers a powerful speech about his experiences as a gay rugby player.
However, the film’s 2-hour and 14-minute runtime feels unnecessarily long, with a significant portion of the film spent on the Mark and Warren’s relationship. Their romantic storyline lacks depth and fails to provide a satisfying emotional payoff.
Despite this flaw, In From the Side is an important addition to the sports-romance genre, giving voice to a community often overlooked in mainstream media. The film presents an authentic portrayal of grassroots rugby and explores the difficulties that come with being a part of a marginalized group within a larger society.
Overall, In From the Side is a well-made drama with a talented cast and an important message. Despite its shortcomings, it’s a film that will resonate with anyone who has ever struggled to balance personal ambition with the needs of a larger group.
The film is set to be released on October 26, 2022, and has received a 7.3 rating on IMDb based on 3.2K user reviews.
