Bethan Roberts’ novel “My Policeman” has recently been reconstructed for the big screen. Streaming on Amazon Prime as of Nov. 4, the film stars Harry Styles as lead Tom Burgess and Emma Corrin as his wife Marion. Patrick Hazlewood, played by David Dawson, is an additional love interest to Tom throughout the film.

The lead characters are also shown later in life with Tom now played by Linus Roache, Marion by Gina Mckee and Patrick by Rupert Everett. At this point, Patrick is severely ill and in need of care, which Marion provides but not without encountering Tom’s scorn.

Marion attempts to care for Patrick as the past plagues the trio and the film flashes between the two periods of their lives.
Taking place in the 1950s, young Marion is infatuated with Tom as the young couple’s romance takes off. Marion, a school teacher, nourishes Tom’s interest in reading as in exchange, Tom teaches and improves Marion’s swimming. The two grow closer with each lesson.
Unbeknownst to Marion, Tom, a policeman, meets Patrick through a call at work. An artist, Patrick takes a liking to Tom, handing him his business card and kindling the start of their relationship, offering to draw him. This friendly relationship leads the characters to soon fumble into something much more serious.

Still dating Marion, Tom intertwines the two through frequent gatherings, which Marion greatly enjoys as she and Patrick share similar appreciations for the arts.
“My Policeman” grapples with revenge, regret and remorse as Marion and Patrick each seek value in their policeman. In a society that punishes the love Patrick and Tom share, the two revel in their romance in secret. Marion holds her marriage to Tom dear and her young self prioritizes this relationship over all else.
For those thinking of viewing “My Policeman,” it is a must see as the matter of LGBTQ+ rights continues into the current generation. A reminder of both the progress made and the progress still to go, the film pulls at the heart strings as audience members can’t help but empathize for Tom, torn between societal intentions and his own.

“My Policeman” layers Patrick and Marion’s development through flash forwards and flashbacks, further building tension through this complicated love triangle. The audience must wonder if love can be felt for more than just one person.
As the film comes to a close and the characters remain with a shattered past and toiled future, the question must be asked, who truly had Tom as their policeman?