Set along the coast at Menai Straights, On The Sea is the very first gay Welsh film, I can remember seeing ever! It’s a serious, slightly bleak but surprisingly tender film, by writer/ director Helen Walsh who tells the story of middle aged Jack ( Barry Ward) who is a mussel fisherman feeling his age in a family business dominated by his boorish brother (Celyn Jones)
Jack is a kind man, who worries about his slightly wayward teenage son ( Henry Lawfell) he has been with his wife (Liz White) since they were 16 and has never left Wales, but it is clear that he is quietly attracted to the Scottish deckhand Dan ( Lorne MacFadyen) the single crewman of his friend fisherman Bernie ( Danny Webb) and they embark on a secret affair which is complicated by Jack’s health issues, and the tight knit Welsh community’s reaction to gossip.
There is little humour in this story and the cinematography by Sam Goldie is muted, and strangely devoid of colour save for one memorable scene where the two men are happy together on a sunlit trawler trip in the sea east of Anglesey .
Barry Ward is impressive in the lead role. And while Closeted and conflicted gay characters are not rare in cinema ,he makes Jack a complicated and sympathetic soul with his scenes with MacFadyen passionate and movingly tender.
Can't wait to see this. I hope it will be available in polish cinemas xx
ReplyDeleteMy friend , it’s a satisfying gay movie, a tad dated ( the family are church goers which doesn’t fit ) but it’s well acted and ultimately rather positive
DeleteExcellent, my friend. I like the idea of a storyline rooted in everyday reality, not another example of tokenism. I'm happy that you spent a rather lovely time xx
DeleteThe film wasn’t really a Welsh one, it was only filmed in north wales. The leads are English Scottish and Irish ….the director English
DeleteAt least it’s about love in the Welsh scenery xx
Delete"On The Sea" sound like a wonderful film and I'll watch for it.
ReplyDeleteTrelawnyd seems to get many movies without the delay common to small towns here.
Hugs!
It was shown at theatr Clwyd which is a national theatre which is 16 miles away
DeleteI watched the trailer and it looked quite good. Maybe I'll even get a chance to see it one day.
ReplyDeleteThink of me when you do
DeleteSounds wonderful, but the chance of being able to see this in England is slight, sadly. At last gay movie making is starting to make inroads and shine. I don't understand the hysteria around TV show Heated Rivalry (poor acting and uncharismatic leads) but the doors opened for film makers and audiences by fairytale Red White And Royal Blue has been remarkable.
ReplyDeleteIt had a favourable review in The Guardian so art house cinemas should show it
DeleteIt's sad that the closet is still a reality for some.
ReplyDeleteAmen
DeleteI can't remember the name of the film, but there was a decade or two ago, a kind of similar film made. I'd like to see On the Sea.
ReplyDeleteI hope it reaches the south xx
DeleteOhhh yes!
ReplyDeleteI posted about it a while ago. Very interesting film. I can’t believe the Welsh have not explored the topic before.
It is very intense.
XOXO
I’m off to see your review
DeleteOh babes!
DeleteI did not go in hard. But people had a lot to say about it. I liked it, but coming out stories are not everybody's cup of tea.
https://thedayandthetime.blogspot.com/2026/07/oh-on-sea.html?zx=d967fe4e776bcaa
XOXO