Blue Jean: LFF Film Review
Blue Jean wasn’t originally on my watchlist but I’m so glad I checked it out – I was amazed this was a debut feature because it has such a clear, assured vision.
The drama, written and directed by Georgia Oakley, is set in Newcastle in 1988 around the time Margaret Thatcher’s government introduced Section 28, which banned local authorities from promoting homosexuality. Rosy McEwen plays Jean, a PE teacher who keeps the fact she’s a lesbian secret because she’s scared of losing her job. Her double life comes under threat when Lois (Lucy Halliday), a new student, threatens to expose her sexuality.
This a compelling character study that makes you realise how difficult it must have been to be an out lesbian at a time when there was a such widespread stigma attached to it. You can fully understand why Jean wants to stay in the closet – she has a lot to lose – but the toll of keeping a big part of her life a secret is very clear. She is stressed, uptight, wound up like a coiled spring and only just keeping it all together – and this causes her to make a very bad decision.
I couldn’t help but feel sorry for Jean’s partner Viv (Kerrie Hayes), who is out and proud, because they have to keep their love hidden from public view and can only relax and be themselves at home or a local gay bar. The stress of keeping their relationship a secret is a weight on her shoulders too.
McEwen is really impressive as Jean as she gives a restrained, emotional performance. She conveys all these complex emotions that Jean has bubbling under the surface in such a subtle way and I loved watching her. McEwen and Hayes have a couple of terrific, emotionally-charged scenes that were the standouts of the film.
Blue Jean is such an accomplished debut and I cannot wait to see what Oakley does next.
Seen as part of the London Film Festival. In cinemas from Friday 10th February
Did you like Blue Jean? Why not check out my interview with writer/director Georgia Oakley here.