The upcoming queer drama Plainclothes, which brings together Tom Blyth and Russell Tovey in a narrative that explores complex themes of identity and societal expectations is set to open at next year’s Sundance Film Festival. The highly anticipated film, directed and written by Carmen Emmi, is set in the 1990s and follows the story of Lucas, played by Blyth, a working-class undercover officer. His mission involves entrapping and apprehending gay men, yet as the plot unfolds, he finds himself attracted to one of his targets, Andrew, portrayed by Tovey.
This new project also boasts a supporting cast that includes Maria Dizzia, Christian Cooke, Gabe Fazio, and Amy Forsyth. Producers Colby Cote and Arthur Landon referred to Plainclothes as “a heartfelt story that deals with internal conflict, family, and the complexities of sexual identity in the face of societal and personal expectations,” highlighting the film’s emotional depth.
Recently, excitement grew as The Sundance Film Festival announced that Plainclothes will be part of its 2025 line-up, which commences on 23 January. Along with the festival news, three new images from the film were released, showcasing pivotal moments. One particularly captivating image features Blyth’s character gazing intensely at Tovey’s character in the mirror, while another snapshot, styled with a retro VHS effect, depicts the two actors in an emotionally charged encounter.
In a featurette shared by Sundance, Emmi discussed the inspiration behind Plainclothes, revealing that the idea came to him in 2016 after reading an article in the Los Angeles Times about undercover police arresting men in public restrooms. Reflecting on his family experiences, particularly the conversations with his brother, who was becoming a police officer at the time, Emmi formulated the character of Lucas. He expressed a personal connection to the setting, stating, “I wrote it here. I set it here in the 90s, which was around the time that I started suppressing my feelings as a boy.” Through this film, he articulated a desire to give his younger self a voice: “I think that I made this as a way for my 7-year-old self to finally exhale.”
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.imdb.com/news/ni64477649/ – Corroborates the casting of Tom Blyth and Russell Tovey in the film Plainclothes, and provides details about the film’s plot and setting.
- https://www.gaytimes.com/culture/plainclothes-heres-your-first-look-at-russell-tovey-and-tom-blyths-gay-drama-sundance-film-festival/ – Provides information about the film’s setting in the 1990s, the characters played by Blyth and Tovey, and the announcement of the film’s inclusion in the Sundance Film Festival.
- https://www.gaytimes.com/culture/plainclothes-russell-tovey-and-tom-blyth-cast-in-new-queer-film/ – Details the plot of Plainclothes, the roles of Tom Blyth and Russell Tovey, and the producers’ comments on the film’s themes.
- https://cnycentral.com/newsletter-daily/director-says-independent-movie-filming-in-syracuse-is-a-love-letter-to-the-city – Explains the director’s inspiration for the film, the setting in Syracuse, and the personal connection of the director to the story.
- https://www.gaytimes.com/culture/plainclothes-heres-your-first-look-at-russell-tovey-and-tom-blyths-gay-drama-sundance-film-festival/ – Mentions the release of new images from the film and its inclusion in the Sundance Film Festival.
- https://www.imdb.com/news/ni64477649/ – Quotes producers Colby Cote and Arthur Landon describing the film as ‘a heartfelt story that deals with internal conflict, family, and the complexities of sexual identity’.
- https://www.gaytimes.com/culture/plainclothes-russell-tovey-and-tom-blyth-cast-in-new-queer-film/ – Lists the supporting cast, including Maria Dizzia, Christian Cooke, Gabe Fazio, and Amy Forsyth.
- https://cnycentral.com/newsletter-daily/director-says-independent-movie-filming-in-syracuse-is-a-love-letter-to-the-city – Discusses the director’s personal connection to the setting and the inspiration behind the film’s story.
- https://www.gaytimes.com/culture/plainclothes-heres-your-first-look-at-russell-tovey-and-tom-blyths-gay-drama-sundance-film-festival/ – Provides details about the film’s premiere at the Sundance Film Festival and the anticipation surrounding it.
- https://www.imdb.com/news/ni64477649/ – Corroborates the directorial debut of Carmen Emmi and the production team involved in Plainclothes.
