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Film reviews

Pillion Review

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With quite a bit of buzz from the Cannes Film Festival and the BFI London Film Festival, Pillion is a film where love and connection are hidden, but it also contains a deeper meaning below the surface. I was visiting London, United Kingdom in late December of 2025. I knew of the title Pillion and knew that it has a release date to be wide in February of 2026. However, after my many adventures on the tube trains, and seeing the ads all over the tunnels, I had the opportunity to see this during my travels. The term “pillion” refers to the passenger sitting behind a motorcyclist. Harry Melling is “the passenger” and Alexander Skarsgard is “the motorcyclist.” Pillion is a journey of two men trying to find what their hearts wants, but their expectations are the complete opposite—a power of love narrative combating to find what love truly is.

The film takes place in Bromley and other regions around London and the United Kingdom. Harry Melling plays Colin—he is introverted, shy, good-hearted, and hopes to meet someone that gives him the loving attention he longs for. His parents are very supporting of his sexuality. They are Peggy (Lesley Sharp) and Pete (Douglas Hodge). Peggy has some health issues, and she prays that her Colin finds a man that fulfills his happiness. That may come along for Colin, as one night he meets a man in a bar who rides a motorcycle. Alexander Skarsgard plays Ray—he is high strung, mellow, and starts to bring Colin in his life. Once Colin and Ray begin to spend time together though, Ray begins to show different behaviors outside of what Colin expects.

The film is one that keeps its audiences thinking. Especially because of how it is focused on a relationship between two men. The fact that Colin wants to love someone and feels Ray might love him back creates a mixed message.  Ray has Colin pick up groceries for him, do chores for him, and makes him sleep in the opposite bed—Colin may just be Ray’s submissive. Is that what Colin wants? He is blinded by being with Ray making him feel that he has a community and a purpose. 

The LGBT side of Pillion creates a portrait of timing. There may be some good times for Colin and Ray, but is Colin truly happy with Ray? Does Ray have feelings for Colin? When Peggy begins to see her son is taken advantage of, she starts to question his happiness. Pillion is a film where love requires more than just loving someone for who they are, it also creates a claritythat sees that common ground is important as well. For Colin, the physical side of feeling warmth is seen as he is the passenger riding on Ray’s motorcycle. Beyond that, any form of connection is how Ray is feeling. There is no clear context to why Ray acts like this, but also at the same time, it does not mean he is a bad person. The display of his sense of shame or guilt is written in a context that creates melancholy that craves release.

The film is written as a dramedy where the chemistry is foundbetween the lines. Melling and Skarsgard are two forces that tango with surreal emotions. In a tale where romance of the same gender struggles to see eye-to-eye, the guide to life does not lie. Pillion brings fuel to the fire with the emotions of Colin as he continuously wishes that Ray would treat him differently. Ray can, but does he want to? The film continues to build a landscape of questions throughout this unique dynamic that it creates among these two men. Is it love or is it just a servant-type relationship? Overall, though the tension steams on and off the motorcycle. Three-and-a-half out of four stars for Pillion.

 

 

Film reviews

Marty Supreme Review

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One-of-a-kind and authentic. Marty Supreme is one of Timothee Chalamet’s most mesmerizing performances. The film is like a ping pong match that you can’t take your eyes off. Writer and director Josh Safdie creates a film that is a few notches down from the stress of Uncut Gems and not aimed as much at gambling. This time the story is focused on earning money through competition and building a reputation.

The film gears on Marty Mauser (Chalamet), a young New Yorker taking on all kinds of jobs and doing what he can to make his way to high-end tournaments and ping-pong championships. He works at a shoe store, but also continuously hustles at various jobs to make money. However, his ego is what is always in front of him. He has the mindset that he can never lose which leads to turmoil for him that builds as many other problems crop up. He gets a girl named Rachel Mizler (Odessa A’zion) pregnant and falls in love with a stage actress Kay Stone (Gwyneth Paltrow). The problems continue to accumulate. For Marty, playing ping-pong is all that matters to him, so his hustling leads to consequences. Marty Supreme makes the audience feel that ping-pong balls are flying in their direction. Sometimes they fall like rain and at other times they dazzle.

There is an aspect of Marty that is successful, but once he achieves fame his entire focus is on himself. Once he has a failed tournament, he goes on a journey hustling to make ends meet to compete in the next tournament. The movie is like Uncut Gems meets the world of ping-pong. The writing about sportsmanship is top-notch. My mind became blurred as Chalamet burned up the screen with stress as he continues to put all things on the line in his role as Marty. There is no stopping the film’s beat which leaves audiences breathless, Marty Supreme is full of ping-pong tournaments which feel like wars for fame that Marty created for himself.

The dynamics between Chalamet and Paltrow are unique. In addition to their age difference, one is working his way to fame, and the other already has experienced it. Their twisted sense of love is written in a mode of desperation. Safdie has a way of creating stressful scenarios with his characters. This happens frequently in Marty Supreme and adds a form of humanistic value. The main character is putting everything on the line and so many things go wrong along the way. Trust, family and friends are lost, but ultimately the one he connects with has his heart. That is the strange but the surreal dynamic plays out in the performances of Chalamet and Paltrow in Marty Supreme.

Chalamet’s performance is ferocious. Even when he is told not to do something, he persists. He is a machine of an unstoppable force. No matter the debts, the trouble, the ping-pong championship is all that matters to him. The amount of sacrifice put forth makes this movie a winning cinematic portrait of non-stop efforts. Four out of four stars.

Film reviews

Eternity Review

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There is a unique approach to life after death in Eternity. In this film, permanence exists in all forms and the world after one life is lost finds a place of purpose. The idea of happiness forever is where the debacle in this film’s narrative becomes exhilarating. The title carries meaning as the story explores themes of empathy, acceptance and reconciliation. It is just a matter of how people choose to move on. Written and directed by David Freyne, who co-wrote the film with writer and producer Patrick Cunnane. Together they bring the world a one-of-a-kind portrait of individuals who are looking for life in the universe after their passing. 

The main characters are Larry, Joan, and Luke. Larry is played by Miles Teller, Joan is played by Elizabeth Olsen, and Luke is played by Callum Turner. The setting is an afterlife setup where humans that have passed are given seven days to figure out where to spend their “eternity.” Joan is in the middle between Larry and Luke, because she was in love with Luke at one point and then Larry afterwards. One died before she fell in love with the other. Now that they are all in the place of life after death, all three are faced with tough decisions.

The film is vibrant with creativity. David Freyne creates a world that looks like a heavenly setting with resources and transportation. There are timetables with arrivals of new souls and lounge areas. A portrait is created of the happiness experienced after humans pass away. Eternity elicits empathy that is spellbinding. Considering the typical world where scenarios cannot be reversed, finding love in a new universe is mesmerizing.

As the film moves forward, there are scenes involving places in which Joan, Larry and Luke revisit the moments of their lives. This leads to some sadness when looking back causes meaningful revelations. Eternity paints a portrait of how to have a loving heart with those we feel connected to. Even when there are various resentments, there are still moments to forever cherish. The story has a carefully woven narrative that demonstrates the power of courage.

There is a realization in the storyline regarding the value of moderation. To provide context, the world of the afterlife has a setting where people can walk through and revisit past frames of their life. It is set up like an exhibit. The usher in the ticket booth reminds them that it may not be healthy to frequently revisit the exhibit because it may be triggering. Despite the sad setup, there minder to revisit the past in moderation holds value in Eternity. It combines with messages of well-being and healthy communication between all parties involved. Once people are there forever, they are not going back.

Eternity is compelling. The film’s writing has a form of clarity which prompts sympathy and understanding. I experienced deepappreciation while watching this wonderful and inspiring movie. The message is powerful …love is cherished forever. Four out of four stars for Eternity.