Pillion
[Showtimes and trailer at Tropiccinema.com]

Director Harry Lighton delivers a compelling feature debut in “Pillion,” about a same sex first love relationship focusing on BDSM. The film manages to be affecting despite the exclusive perception of the BDSM community from those outside of it. The film has verve and humor and to its great credit does not shy away from opacity, ambiguity, or bluntness. 

A shy submissive parking attendant Colin (Harry Melling) meets the monosyllabic biker Ray (Alexander Skarsgård) at a bar. Colin does not know how to proceed. Ray unzips his leather fly. Though he bumbles and mumbles Colin is both interested and mystified by Ray’s terseness.

Colin lives with his terminally ill mother (Lesley Sharp) who is skittish about Ray’s reticence. The father (Douglas Hodge) is invariably nervous but supportive.

Ray, who has all the charm of The Batman without Zoloft, treats Colin with dominance and is quite harsh. With full hair, Colin resembles a cute Edward Scissorhands, but when Ray demands his head shaved nearly bare, Colin looks like a ratty Uncle Fester. Colin wears a chain collar and Ray has the key. He is instructed to cook all meals and sleep on the floor.

Ray’s disrespect becomes too much for Colin, and he asks for a 24-hour time out. Ray refuses. 

Infuriated, Colin takes Ray’s motorcycle and goes into the night. This is the most energetic scene in the film, charged and rebellious.

As a result, Colin gains respect cementing the relationship. The two go on a BDSM camping trip with other bikers. These scenes are handled with empathetic realism and authenticity. 

While other directors might have given a lighter service regarding the same sex BDSM community, Lighton does not patronize or satirize. This is a caring treatment. According to research, Lighton spent a full weekend with the Gay Bikers Motorcycle Club (GBMCC) in London, and they are the film’s listed advisors.

In terms of drama, the character of Ray might just be too dispassionate and lacking in empathy. Still, Colin is in love with mystery and his attraction for Ray is genuine. 

The impact of the film is further energized by the ending which thankfully does not descend into soap or sentiment.

Write Ian at ianfree1@icloud.com

[livemarket market_name="KONK Life LiveMarket" limit=3 category=“” show_signup=0 show_more=0]