True Things: Film Review
Ruth Wilson has always been a terrific actress but in case you had any doubts, go check out True Things, which truly showcases her talent.
She plays Kate, who is unhappy with her dull life working in a benefits claims office in Ramsgate. One day, she processes the claims of an ex-con with dyed blond hair (Tom Burke) and is instantly charmed by him. After an erotic encounter in the car park, Kate becomes completely infatuated with “Blond” to the point that she stops taking care of herself. She wants them to be a serious couple and cannot see that he is using her.
Sensible men bore Kate; she likes being reckless and naughty, so Blond is the ideal man for her. He is a total enigma and the mystery enthrals and fascinates her. He’s the one in control; he calls all the shots, decides when they’ll see each other and everything is on his terms – they have sex in public places and she pulls sickies at work – and she is constantly waiting for him to instigate their next encounter. That would drive me crazy but Kate seems to like the thrill of this at first. Even when he neglects her for a while, he easily manages to seduce her and win her back over the next time they meet.
I think a lot of people, both men and women, will be able to relate to this story – being so into somebody that you can’t see they’re treating you like a total mug or being aware of it but hoping they’ll change. Or, thinking your relationship is heading into serious territory when the other person has no intention of that. Kate – and the audience – never learn much about Blond at all but we know he’s not good for her and we are rooting for her to come to this realisation too. She deserves somebody so much better.
Wilson, who optioned the book this is based on and developed the story, is terrific as Kate. We follow her the entire way through and really get to grips with her mindset. She is not a happy person and is seeking validation in the wrong place. Burke has this charming, lovable rogue persona that seems to be magnetic to Kate. Hayley Squires is also solid as Kate’s straight-talking friend and colleague who is concerned about her entanglement with Blond.
True Things, directed by Harry Wootliff, is a tense psychological drama that really gets under its lead character’s skin.
In cinemas from Friday 1st April