My Quick take: While I enjoyed this film, I do not think it sufficiently represents a lesbian/queer relationship. The character development and building of the relationship between Jean and Lydia was watered down and nowhere near as passionate as films that feature a heterosexual romance. All that we really see of their relationship is the two of them spending evenings together, which could allude to the two having more of a sexual relationship than a loving one.
Synopsis: Lydia (Holliday Grainger) lives in a small town in Britain in the 1950s, abandoned by her husband and raising her young son on her own. She later meets the town’s new doctor, Jean (Anna Paquin), when her son is in need of medical attention after a bullying incident. Despite whispers about Jean and the obvious exclusion she’s receiving from the townspeople, Lydia and Jean develop a friendship, which slowly turns into something more.
Representation: Due to the film taking place in the 1950s, the strong presence of discrimination and hatred overshadows the film’s attempt at representation and inclusion. Before meeting Lydia, Jean is portrayed as the lonely and miserable outsider. This is because when Jean was growing up in the town, she was ostracized and sent away by her parents for being attracted to women. Therefore, Jean’s life has been a long timeline of isolation and being denied happiness. The couple is also denied happiness when Lydia and her son board a train at the end of the film, with Jean choosing to remain behind.
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