The intoxicating love “that dare not speak its name” between the two men is almost tangibly compelling.

Particularly effective are the ways in which certain moments are informatively, revealingly replayed once we’re let in on the extent of Tom and Patrick’s clandestine romance. It’s all quite sensitively and credibly handled by the deft cast, director (and acclaimed stage veteran) Michael Grandage and screenwriter Ron Nyswaner (“Philadelphia,” “The Painted Veil”).

But when Tom and Marion marry, said trio turns into a pair of duos - and dueling ones at that - and the inevitable emotional, social and sexual complications ensue, including one extraordinarily grave betrayal. Meanwhile, Tom, his unsuspecting girlfriend, Marion ( Emma Corrin), and the worldly Patrick form a kind of troika and share an ebullient series of summertime adventures. In 1957 Brighton, a young policeman named Tom ( Harry Styles) has a chance encounter with local museum curator Patrick (David Dawson) that turns into something much more than a friendship. Because moviegoing carries risks during this time, we remind readers to follow health and safety guidelines as outlined by the CDC and local health officials. The Times is committed to reviewing theatrical film releases during the COVID-19 pandemic.

My policeman by bethan roberts