Tjhis movie is a pretentious and self-serving pile of manure. It has absolutely no redeeming features, other than some of the actors, who are at least very easy on the eyes. In fact, the most attractive of those actors is not the main character.
17 Reviews
Not Without Artistic Value... Unfortunately, A Droll Experience.
ChipperX13 May 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Postcards From London, starring Harris Dickinson, might well be renamed, "Flights Of Fancy: An Introspective On The Beauty Of Harris Dickinson". While the work itself is not without intrinsic value, the meandering quality of the plot and the film's premise do not lend themselves to easy enjoyment.
Harris Dickinson stars as Jim, an out-of-towner who dreams of moving to London to live a life of glory. While Jim appears to be a gay man, his sexuality is extremely downplayed in the film, as writer-director Steve McLean chooses instead to focus on Jim's medical condition, known as Stendhal Syndrome.
Along the way to Jim's journey of self-discovery, we meet various young people who form the underbelly of London - bartenders, rent boys and homeless artistes. To focus the story on any one subject might have created a cohesive theme about which a compelling and interesting story might be based. Instead, Steve McLean chooses to mosh several different themes together in order to create a cornucopia of a gay man's coming of age story - a story which is mostly written in the safer language of PG-rated, rather then the reality of R-rated.
One focus of the film is art, and the film succeeds if viewed strictly from that point of view. Unfortunately, since this is a film about gay men, the point of the movie may be lost on its intended audience. Pretty pictures do not a fantastic story make, and Postcards From London is in the end nothing more than a collage of beautiful images.
Kudos to writer-director McLean for daring to be different. But if you're looking for an uplifting story of a gay man coming to terms with his identity and finding his place in society, you may want to look elsewhere. I, for one, couldn't wait for the film to end.
Harris Dickinson stars as Jim, an out-of-towner who dreams of moving to London to live a life of glory. While Jim appears to be a gay man, his sexuality is extremely downplayed in the film, as writer-director Steve McLean chooses instead to focus on Jim's medical condition, known as Stendhal Syndrome.
Along the way to Jim's journey of self-discovery, we meet various young people who form the underbelly of London - bartenders, rent boys and homeless artistes. To focus the story on any one subject might have created a cohesive theme about which a compelling and interesting story might be based. Instead, Steve McLean chooses to mosh several different themes together in order to create a cornucopia of a gay man's coming of age story - a story which is mostly written in the safer language of PG-rated, rather then the reality of R-rated.
One focus of the film is art, and the film succeeds if viewed strictly from that point of view. Unfortunately, since this is a film about gay men, the point of the movie may be lost on its intended audience. Pretty pictures do not a fantastic story make, and Postcards From London is in the end nothing more than a collage of beautiful images.
Kudos to writer-director McLean for daring to be different. But if you're looking for an uplifting story of a gay man coming to terms with his identity and finding his place in society, you may want to look elsewhere. I, for one, couldn't wait for the film to end.
- Chipper F. Xavier, Esq.
TOO ARTSY.
andrewchristianjr25 August 2023
This film attempted to do more than it was capable of. I think it's just too artsy idk. Definitely not for me.
Synopsis: Postcards from London is a 2018 British drama film directed by Steve McLean. It is McLean's follow-up to his 1994 film Post Cards from America, which he based on the work of David Wojnarowicz. The film follows a teenage boy Jim (played by Harris Dickinson), who escapes his rural Essex town for London, only to find himself involved with a team of high-class gay escorts in Soho.
Postcards from London is a 2018 British drama film directed by Steve McLean. It is McLean's follow-up to his 1994 film Post Cards from America, which he based on the work of David Wojnarowicz. The film follows a teenage boy Jim (played by Harris Dickinson), who escapes his rural Essex town for London, only to find himself involved with a team of high-class gay escorts in Soho.
Synopsis: Postcards from London is a 2018 British drama film directed by Steve McLean. It is McLean's follow-up to his 1994 film Post Cards from America, which he based on the work of David Wojnarowicz. The film follows a teenage boy Jim (played by Harris Dickinson), who escapes his rural Essex town for London, only to find himself involved with a team of high-class gay escorts in Soho.
Postcards from London is a 2018 British drama film directed by Steve McLean. It is McLean's follow-up to his 1994 film Post Cards from America, which he based on the work of David Wojnarowicz. The film follows a teenage boy Jim (played by Harris Dickinson), who escapes his rural Essex town for London, only to find himself involved with a team of high-class gay escorts in Soho.
Not worth renting
jromanbaker7 January 2020
I love the films of Rohmer, of Anne Fontaine and quite a lot of good Queer Cinema. What I do not like are narcissistic films about so-called intellectual rent boys who go on and on about artists, writers etc and rake in the money from elderly men who want ' artistic ' stimulation. All this boils down to begging from the young something these men once had, or never had but want. The focus of attention in this film is a very boring youth who suffers from Stendhal Syndrome which poses a bit of a problem when he sees too much beauty. The dialogue is terrible, the music annoying and I wondered more than once what Derek Jarman would have thought of this. In fact the whole feel of the film feels like the 80's including a ridiculous Soho and a highly improbable group of sexually ambiguous young men. And what annoys me most is that Gay men will fork out their money for watching this. I urge anyone who is tempted by this coy film to get ' Sauvage ' and to watch a truly great film with a truly great actor in the lead. One of the worst and most pretentious films I have ever seen.
Beautiful
Gordon-116 January 2019
This film tells the story of a young man who goes to London to find his artistic dreams.
The film is visually very beautiful. Harris Dickinson is beautiful, and is clearly objectified in the film. The story is interesting. It is pleasing to see that BFI makes a film as alternative and as erotic as this.
The film is visually very beautiful. Harris Dickinson is beautiful, and is clearly objectified in the film. The story is interesting. It is pleasing to see that BFI makes a film as alternative and as erotic as this.
Stylistic and campy
scottinhawaii-17 July 2019
I found this film very campy and funny. Maybe thats not what was intended? It was sort of like a 70s gay art film. In a good way. Two of the cast stand out: Harris Dickenson in the lead and Jonah Hauer-King. If there really were rent boys like this I might be tempted.
R-Rated thematically, PG-rated visually
mtoda5 November 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I saw this at Frameline42 and the descriptions given played up the sexiness of the movie. While thematically it was risqué, it could have been shown on PBS due to the lack of any real nudity. While the acting was well done, the production was sub-par.
There was a scene where the protagonist is having promotional photos taken. The photographer asks him to drop his underwear. He shrugs his shoulders and it is implied that he is pushing his underwear off. The camera stays above his waist during the entire maneuver.
The sets were very stylized and claustrophobic. It felt like they were filming a play. And not in a good way.
There was a scene where the protagonist is having promotional photos taken. The photographer asks him to drop his underwear. He shrugs his shoulders and it is implied that he is pushing his underwear off. The camera stays above his waist during the entire maneuver.
The sets were very stylized and claustrophobic. It felt like they were filming a play. And not in a good way.
Harris Dickinson
oceansroar16 July 2018
The only reason to watch this film is Harris Dickinson. He has a boyish charm that draws you into his world. Unfortunately, even he is not enough to sit through this pretension dibble of a film.
The style of filming, the colours, the set designs were eye catching, but not as much as Dickinson who with the proper script will one day shine as an actor, perhaps taking on Hollywood.
For now, we can hope he finds another Beach Rat where there is a storyline.
Basically unwatchable
injury-654477 June 2022
The main character's acting is lifeless and stiff. It's a shame because I enjoyed his performance in Beach Rats.
The dialogue is cringe and pretentious. The sets look completely artificial. Painful watch, had to turn it off.
I can't believe there are actually positive reviews on here for this film.
The dialogue is cringe and pretentious. The sets look completely artificial. Painful watch, had to turn it off.
I can't believe there are actually positive reviews on here for this film.
Mind Candy
Suradit23 July 2018
If you're expecting the gritty, sweaty reality of rent boys in London, you'll find this movie disappointing. While there are some brief, decidedly homoerotic poses struck by the boys that replicate some of Caravaggio's paintings, the rent boys in this fantasy film are more about the cerebral than the physical. As mentioned several times in the film, they do not like the term "rent boys," preferring to be called "raconteurs."
The clients are obviously drawn to the physical beauty of the boys, in particular Harris Dickinson, but (and one must be reminded that this is a fantasy) it is the boys' ability to discuss artists such as Caravaggio in depth that seals the deal, so to speak.
One reviewer referred to this as "pretentious 'dibble'". Not sure what "dibble" is. I didn't notice anyone in the film dribbling, so presumably he meant "drivel." I have to totally disagree with that. I found it all to be fascinating and the actors carried it off with marvelous skill.
If I attempted to explain what it all meant, I would undoubtedly descend into pretentious drivel. It was somewhat amusing and presumably intended to mentally stimulate the viewer by making it all open to different interpretations. It undoubtedly explored the different forms of exploitation, but not in a way that demands all viewers react in a singular, predictable way.
I thoroughly enjoyed Postcards from London and will probably watch it again because, like a painting by Caravaggio, it contains far more than can be absorbed in one glance. I can easily see that it wouldn't appeal to everyone, but it definitely deserves attention as a thought-provoking film.
The clients are obviously drawn to the physical beauty of the boys, in particular Harris Dickinson, but (and one must be reminded that this is a fantasy) it is the boys' ability to discuss artists such as Caravaggio in depth that seals the deal, so to speak.
One reviewer referred to this as "pretentious 'dibble'". Not sure what "dibble" is. I didn't notice anyone in the film dribbling, so presumably he meant "drivel." I have to totally disagree with that. I found it all to be fascinating and the actors carried it off with marvelous skill.
If I attempted to explain what it all meant, I would undoubtedly descend into pretentious drivel. It was somewhat amusing and presumably intended to mentally stimulate the viewer by making it all open to different interpretations. It undoubtedly explored the different forms of exploitation, but not in a way that demands all viewers react in a singular, predictable way.
I thoroughly enjoyed Postcards from London and will probably watch it again because, like a painting by Caravaggio, it contains far more than can be absorbed in one glance. I can easily see that it wouldn't appeal to everyone, but it definitely deserves attention as a thought-provoking film.
Quirky fun, eye candy
ecarlson-593-12046113 November 2019
I'm a sucker for Caravaggio, so that was enough to draw me in. But there's a lot more to this film. It's not everyone's cup of tea, and I can understand people thinking it's pretentious, but I don't think it is. It's whimsical, imaginative, original, and beautiful to look at. Don't expect Bergman or Almodovar. Just enjoy an odd, sexy bit of story telling.
Signpost for the career of Harris Dickinson
simon-4946731 March 2018
The film will not get widespread acclaim as it is a classic, non-classic, arty film in the same way that Betty Blue, Withnail & I, Donnie Darko, Jonny Suede and Cool World were.
It's a showcase for the undoubted talents of Harris Dickinson, a man who exudes charm and emotion - also in real life, which will get him far in a transition from indie to mainstream.
Keep an eye out for him.
Caravaggio would love this film - I do too!
robert-5845724 February 2019
Caravaggio would be proud of - in fact, I think if he were reincarnated into this lifetime he would BE the protagonist! Who, by the way, is played superbly. Truly he is both within and outside of the art. His character, being adored for his beauty, is authentically tortured because of it. The art history references are both dead-serious and light-hearted at times. And the story moves just like any great work of art: light, dark, contrast, highlight, a touch of color - masterpiece.
was this based on a stage-play? Interesting after 20"
davidanderson-4529516 August 2018
The cinematography is very much like watching a play transposed to cinema, the set (small) scenes and lighting just seems like someone has taken a moderately successful stage-play and done a somewhat lazy transposition to the screen. I appreciate that budgets might have been small, but producing for the stage vs cinema is a very different thing.
don't get me wrong, I like the slightly surreal aspects (the parent's dining table) but the execution didn't quite make it, it's just a too too literal translation of the set-design and the lighting-design onto screen which just doesn't work.
I don't want to be harsh, because there are precious few interesting indie movies out there but its not 'grand budapest hotel' or 'gods own country'
a solid 6, but with a different producer / designer / director then it could have been better. can't really fault the actors at all.
I've continued watching, after the 1st 'chapter', it does move into other directions!
don't get me wrong, I like the slightly surreal aspects (the parent's dining table) but the execution didn't quite make it, it's just a too too literal translation of the set-design and the lighting-design onto screen which just doesn't work.
I don't want to be harsh, because there are precious few interesting indie movies out there but its not 'grand budapest hotel' or 'gods own country'
a solid 6, but with a different producer / designer / director then it could have been better. can't really fault the actors at all.
I've continued watching, after the 1st 'chapter', it does move into other directions!
Rent Boys
westsideschl24 May 2019
Mentioned frequently in this film, Caravaggio, the early 1600s painter, who mastered (?) the use of realistic frozen poses (as if a moment caught with a flash or strobe) combined with extreme use of light & shadow so too does this film follow the same style. A surreal, obscurest, artsy following of some gay "rent boys" as they fashion their craft, and a newbie just arrived in London to discover/pursue his dreams. Not sure where this film goes, or the degree of understanding, but a worthy watch.
Note: The writer/director created a slightly similar film 25 years ago called "Postcards from America".
A great pick
minimaster-6773410 August 2018
Was not expecting it to be like this, but it is a very good movie! Lighting is definitely a strong point in the movie. This is a very good pick, unless you don't like art or is not willing to learn some with the movie. The storyline kept me going, nothing too mind-blowing, nor too simple, and the end was also very good.
The tales of Harris Dickinson and the Neon Light
muhdika22 December 2018
After escapping his rural town essex,a young teenager jim find himself now involved in the world of gay escort,The Raconteurs.Now jim need to try discover the real reason why his now bound to the world of art forgery.
It seems like the plot was little bit rushed,only to find the story become much more weaken.Well,It's still enjoyable from me
The point of "muse" this movie have is how they playing with several colors and a pure neon light,making this movie is one of the most beautiful art visual movie that i have ever seen.Harris Dickinson prove his charm can be overtly aesthetic and visually playful through the art of blank canvas
It seems like the plot was little bit rushed,only to find the story become much more weaken.Well,It's still enjoyable from me
The point of "muse" this movie have is how they playing with several colors and a pure neon light,making this movie is one of the most beautiful art visual movie that i have ever seen.Harris Dickinson prove his charm can be overtly aesthetic and visually playful through the art of blank canvas
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