Supernova – Film Review

Director – Harry Macqueen
Writer – Harry Macqueen
Stars – Colin Firth, Stanley Tucci, Pippa Haywood

This film is based around the lives of Sam (Colin Firth) and Tusker (Stanley Tucci), a successful and content couple that have lived together for over twenty years. Tusker is a novelist and Sam a pianist. They are preparing for a trip in a camper van to the English countryside, to visit friends and family in the Lake District. As they prepare for the trip, it slowly becomes obvious that all is not well between the couple. Sam is overly concerned for Tusker’s well being and Tusker is annoyed at his over attentiveness. Slowly, the reason for this sense of unease becomes apparent as Tusker is suffering from early onset dementia, an illness that will eventually tear the couple apart forever!

This film is a depiction of gay life that is rarely if ever seen on screen. The initial scene of them hugging together in bed at night is far removed from the dance clubs and drugs that Hollywood usually show us. This is a couple of men deeply in love, pure and simple. The film could just as easily be about a straight couple and for this alone, it is an unusual work. The acting of the two leads is also very rewarding. Their depiction of a loving couple is real and vivid.

The writer/ director is Harry Macqueen and he is probably best known as an actor. His film debut was in ‘Me and Orson Welles’ which was directed by Richard Linklater but he is probably best known as Jed Quinn in Eastenders. He won’t hold that against him!

This film is rich and raw and achingly sad! The loss they feel is impending, and there is a touch of melancholy through the whole experience, as they are preparing themselves for the inevitable and trying to make the best of the time they have left together. It’s not the easiest viewing but it shows that love can continue through the most difficult of circumstances.