Directed by John Butler
Staring Fionn O’Shea, Nicholas Galitzine & Andrew Scott
In cinemas nationwide
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Handsome Devil is an Irish film about two teenage boys trying to be themselves in an often uncompromising and single-minded environment: a private, rugby obsessed all-boys boarding school in south Dublin. A long awaited follow up to The Stag, director John Butler artfully portrays how school can have a confining affect on those who do not neatly fit into the prescribed boxes. A reality all too familiar for Butler (and countless others), having gone to Blackrock College where he loved sport and was gay – two things Butler found difficult to reconcile.
What makes this film so appealing is the mixture of humour and light hearted moments, whilst thoughtfully tackling issues such as homophobia, toxic masculinity and confining expectations. Ned, played by Fionn O’Shea, is desperate to get expelled from school where he undergoes relentless bullying for being gay – a word which means “bad, crap, different” for his rugby tormentors. A very intriguing character, Ned is particular due to his natural ability to stick out so much from all the others. His love of music and aversion to rugby leave him feeling ostracised by the school community. Thankfully, Ned slowly forms an unusual friendship with Conor (Nicholas Galitzine), a new student who appears reserved and mysterious at first. Guided by their English teacher Mr. Sherry (Andrew Scott), the pair start to play music together and are encouraged to be themselves. As Conor becomes a rugby hero, however, he finds it increasingly difficult to remain friends with Ned. Their time spent bonding over music is considered to be a distraction from rugby and rumours about why Conor left his old school resurface, forcing him into further repression and isolation.
The relationship formed between Mr. Sherry and the two students proves a perfect contrast to the exaggerated and aggressive school atmosphere presented by Butler. It provides a lifeline for Conor. With an impressive performance from Galitzine, Conor’s development throughout the film is utterly believable while Andrew Scott’s performance as Mr. Sherry proves to be the strongest of the film. He successfully creates a teacher who can jump from fury to deep sadness to frustration in an instant. Although, Mr. Sherry teeters on becoming a sorry imitation of John Keating from Dead Poets Society, his personal journey is one of the most engaging aspects of the film. His pleas for students to be themselves fall on deaf ears while he has difficulty doing so himself. It is only after an unlikely encounter and the advice of a student that Andrew Scott as Mr. Sherry comes into his own to find the courage to truly “reveal himself”.
Handsome Devil celebrates overcoming societal barriers and explores the many difficulties this involves. It is a compelling encouragement to be openly and unapologetically yourself and to embrace all aspects of your identity. With a fantastic supporting cast including Walter Curly, Ardal O’Hanlon and Amy Huberman as well as a ’80s soundtrack from The Housemartins, Prefab Sprout and The Undertones; Handsome Devil is this years must watch Irish film.
