Monday 16 April 2018

Just Charlis (2017) - Film Review


The plan was not to do another film review but this morning I saw a beautiful sweet film about a boy believing he was in the wrong body and I was in tears watching the end playing out kind of knowing where it was leading. But the end of the film had me smiling again.

Paul Lyndsay (Scott Williams) just wants to give his children what he never had, and in the case of only son, fourteen-year-old Charlie (Harry Gilby) that’s a career in football to spare him a future wasted toiling in factories. Scouted by a league club Charlie receives an offer of a lucrative contract to sign on the dotted line but he doesn’t seem that excited unlike his dad.

Charlie’s dissatisfaction, however, it is not because the offer isn’t from Manchester United it’s rooted in gender dysphoria: he identifies as female, and after years of denial is finding it difficult to hide her true feelings any longer. Charlie feels a burning desire to dress in women’s clothing, to wear make-up, and to appear feminine because he identifies as female and one day turns up at school dressed as a girl coursing somewhat of a stir.

Charlie’s decision courses waves through his family, friends, and neighbours. His father Paul struggles to cope and her mother Susan (Patricia Potter) and his sister fearfully attempts to support her decision. His dad at one point insisting that his son simply “man up”, it isn’t until Charlie resorts to self-harm that the question of identity is even addressed between them both.

With the support of her mother and sister both are quick to support Charlie’s decision to begin hormone therapy, even when it threatens to influence their own lives and relationships. Paul struggles to accept it from the outset, sparing himself any initial awkwardness with co-workers but bringing him into direct conflict with the rest of the family.

Initially some of her friends where dead shocked but slowly started to come round but a major fight with her best friend was upsetting but they sorted it out, as I knew, would happen She still harboured thoughts of playing football in a girls team which was a problem she had to overcome.

While not all actors in the movie are entirely convincing, the performance of Harry Gilby as Charlie is nothing short of phenomenal. In a demanding role requiring a tremendous focus of emotions, Gilby’s acting results in a character that one is guaranteed to identify with or at least deeply care for.

My Rating

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