Dir/scr: Donncha Gilmore. Eire. 2025. 85mins.
In its preliminary levels, Women & Boys casts a Earlier than Dawn-like glow of romantic prospects as one other younger couple appear set to speak the evening away. A dangerous change of drugs shifts it in direction of a extra formidable exploration of the foundations of attraction, and who will get to resolve them. Donncha Gilmore’s debut function has a young regard for its imperfect characters and boasts performances that encourage funding within the destiny of the central couple. There are additionally echoes of Sean Baker’s work and a fascinating indie vibe that might tempt a youthful viewers seeking an unconventional romance. Breakout Photos will launch in Eire later in 2025, following a world premiere at Galway.
Donncha Gilmore makes good on the promise proven in previous shorts
Author/director Gilmore has beforehand impressed with a spread of shorts that stretches from the Irish-language musical Bonsoir Luna (2015) to horror yarn The Banshee (2019). In Women & Boys, the filmmaker reveals a positive contact in dealing with of temper and efficiency. Gilmore additionally deceives us into assuming this is perhaps a traditional opposites-attract story as Trinity Faculty Dublin college students Charlie (Liath Hannon) and Jace (Adam Lunnon-Collery) meet-cute within the library.
The couple appear worlds aside and but there’s a connection. Charlie is trans and an aspiring filmmaker with a passion for gothic horror. Jace is a straight-arrow rugby participant learning enterprise. He appears to exist in a world of locker-room banter and laddish boasting, however Gilmore hints he doesn’t fairly match any senseless macho stereotype. His boorish teammate Mark (Oisin Flynn) supplies the distinction to his gentler nature.
Charlie and Jace meet once more at a depressing Halloween occasion in an deserted home. Charlie’s Tremendous 8 vampire romp is projected on the partitions, giving Jace a possibility to see her work (Tremendous 8 footage is used all through to fluctuate the visible palette). The 2 are thrown collectively once more and start a severe dialog wherein they begin to reveal a few of their insecurities. Lunnon-Collery captures a way of Jace as somebody barely uncomfortable in his pores and skin, stumbling via awkward silences and determined to not trigger offence. Hannon’s Charlie is a extra steely determine, cautious of opening herself to disappointment and but clearly drawn to Jace. The pair reveals an ease and maturity of their performances that mark them out as skills to look at.
The evening progresses because the duo enterprise into city, sharing confidences and reluctant to go their separate methods. Halloween fireworks burst within the evening sky and Dublin takes on a fairytale really feel with its blurry neon indicators, romantic bridges and rowdy characters. A soundtrack of Irish artists together with Echo Northstar, New Dad and Banrion add to the ethereal environment.
Simply while you suppose you’ve gotten the movie found out, Gilmore introduces a twist that units the story on a darker path. The movie takes a short while to regain its momentum and re-assert its allure. The twist opens up the story to discover attention-grabbing questions round who we select to like, and the way we resist the stress to adapt and accept lower than the center wishes. Whereas a quick working time leaves the viewer wanting a bit of extra, Women & Boys however charms and engages, encouraging audiences to take a leap of religion and permitting Gilmore to make good on the promise proven in previous shorts.
Manufacturing firm: Gander
Worldwide gross sales: Gander data@gander.ie
Producer: Gearoid Gilmore
Cinematography: Fionnuala McCormack
Manufacturing design: Lily O’Neill
Modifying: Donncha Gilmore, Colin Campbell, PJ Moloney
Music: Josh Reichental
Major forged: Liath Hannon, Adam Lunnon-Collery, Francis O’Mahony, Oisin Flynn