Tropic Sprockets / Blue Jean

By Ian Brockway

In our continuation of Pride month, Georgia Oakley’s “Blue Jean” is an affecting story of a school gym teacher in conservative England in the 1980s. Understated, empathetic, and rich in character, it is profoundly existential, and will keep you guessing. [Check Tropiccinema.com for showtimes and trailer.]

Jean (Rosy McEwen) is a teacher in Margaret Thatcher’s England. Parliament is cracking down with anti-gay legislation. As a result, Jean is keeping a low profile and is closeted.

At night, Jean ventures to a lesbian bar. She has a girlfriend Viv (Kerrie Hayes). In Jean’s class a new girl Lois (Lucy Halliday) arrives. The students tease her. Then one night Jean sees Lois at the bar and decides to ignore her.

Then in class, one girl student makes a pass at Lois and kisses her in the shower. The girl panics and pretends to be attacked by Lois, seeing the teacher.

Jean does nothing to back Lois up, fearing for her job given that Lois is a regular at the bar. Lois is suspended and Viv breaks up with Jean. Jean is left completely alone with no one to turn to.

This is a wonderfully detailed performance for Rosy McEwen. She singularly explores every possible emotion. Her solitude exemplifies what is Kafkaesque. Lucy Halliday is also perfect as the simmering Lois and Kerrie Hayes is just as watchable. Each character is given full range and is completely unique within their roles. The narrative is direct and deliberate with no superfluous theatrics or melodrama. 

This film is a period study of Margaret Thatcher’s England in miniature and one can feel the weight of the billowing smokestacks, conservatism, and the gray of conformity. 

In watching the film, the declarative march of a New Order dance song is in direct opposition to the tread of repression and prohibiting ideas. 

Solidly understated, the narrative presents situations as they are and patiently waits for its audience to decide the outcome.

Write Ian at [email protected]

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