‘Pillion' Review: Alexander Skarsgård Is Dom For The Holidays & Harry Melling Is Hopelessly Devoted In Steamy BDSM Romance — Cannes Film Festival
Based on the 2020 novel Box Hill by Adam Mars-Jones, Pillion stars Harry Melling as a timid young gay man named Colin who comes into his sexuality when a biker named Ray (Alexander Skarsgård) takes him on as his sexual submissive.
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A new kinkier Christmas classic for LGBTQ fans of Carol and Tangerine, Christmas carols over the piano with family are followed by an anonymous alleyway blowjob with a hot stranger, perhaps a familiar experience for one too many (or not enough) gay men going home for the holidays. In this case, Colin eagerly licks up the mud off Ray's boots when told to, all within the first 20 minutes of the movie.
Another erotic scene includes some ass-less wrestling singlets before the pair experiences an unfortunately common plumbing issue that comes with anal sex, one that's handled with a sincere awkwardness and empathy.
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But beneath the unabashed sexual content, Lighton's debut is all romance, kicking off with a French rendition of 'I Will Follow Him,' foreshadowing the hopeless devotion Colin develops for Ray in their dom/sub relationship.
The opening scene sees Colin at a pub for a Christmas performance with his barbershop quartet (including Douglas Hodge as his dad Pete), where his mom Peggy (Lesley Sharp) also set him up on date with a 'Free Britney' activist, a sweet attempt at finding her son someone to settle down with before she dies of cancer. Colin's parents represent a new era of LGBTQ-affirming parents who are likely on the other side of the 'Does kink belong at Pride?' debate, despite its important contributions to the community. Although they only want to see their son happy, it's initially a shock learning what he's into.
Skarsgård understood the assignment, slipping seamlessly into his role as the sexually dominant yet elusive Ray, who's fearless in communicating his every desire, but emotionally closed off to any real intimacy as the leader of a gay biker gang.
Melling portrays parking attendant Colin with the thrilling curiosity and emotional depth of a young gay man exploring his sexuality for the first time, while attempting to define his own desires and identity, independent of his much more experienced dom.
In an unexpected supporting turn, Scissor Sisters' Jake Shears makes his acting debut in a role as a fellow submissive who has a steamy NSFW scene with Skarsgård on a picnic table (featuring a prosthetic with a Prince Albert piercing). The musician also flexes his acting muscle in a subtle yet bitchy exchange with Melling's Colin, in which both of their butts are on display.
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As their unique bond grows, Colin takes on more of his dom's identity, shaving his head and wearing biker gear. Although the validation of finding a tribe speaks to him, he ultimately loses himself in the leather, noting his 'aptitude for devotion' to Ray.
Meanwhile, a personal tragedy shakes Colin into consciousness, the only element that manages to pierce Ray's exterior long enough to let his sub in. But is the moment of vulnerability enough of a foundation to find common ground in their unconventional relationship?
Beneath the bondage and demands, there's genuine caring between Ray and Colin, like when the former assembles his crew to celebrate the latter's birthday, or when Ray helps a grieving Colin collect himself. He even breaks through his broody façade to makes a pizza joke when Colin is at his lowest. It represents what Colin never was able to explain to his mom, which is that while dom/sub relationships might look abusive to outsiders, the successful ones come from a healthy balance of power that satisfies both parties, who have just as much a capacity for love and care as anyone else.
Lighton beautifully uses kink and BDSM as a playground to explore the longing and devotion that comes from unrequited love, as well as the balance of learning to love yourself and maintaining a sense of independence. With help from Skarsgård and Melling, the film navigates the chaotic push and pull of a relationship, as each sacrifices parts of themselves for the potential of love.
Title: PillionFestival: Cannes (Un Certain Regard)Distributors: A24, Memento DistributionDirector-screenwriter: Harry LightonCast: Alexander Skarsgård, Harry MellingRunning time: 1 hr 47 mins
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