Pillion is a hard movie to categorize, an unusual romantic comedy that’s brutally tender.
Living at home with his parents, the most interesting part of Colin’s (Harry Melling) life is singing in the barbershop quartet at the local pub. It’s a loveless, mundane existence.
One night on the drive to the pub a biker passes his car. The rider long and lean in head-to-toe white leathers, the black masked helmet shielding his face. Intriguing.
Inside the pub Colin notices the rider sitting in the corner. When Colin goes to order a drink the handsome biker Ray (Alexander Skarsgård) beats him to it. Laying coins on the bar for his drink, Ray signals for Colin to pick them up. A sliding doors moment.
Colin picks up the coins, hands them to the barman and so begins a radically new life.
Leaving the family home and moving in with Ray as his submissive, Colin cooks, cleans and does whatever Ray desires and boy does he have desires.
As the motorcycle club leader Ray takes Colin into his world of kink. Outside that life no one can believe Colin can have such a stunning “boyfriend”. The secret? Colin shows an aptitude for devotion.
However, after meeting other subs in the club, Colin begins to consider his own needs and ultimately wonders would happen if he voiced them.
As the credits rolled I pondered:
- The movie will deliver moments of difficult viewing for some audience members but balances these with other hilarious notes;
- Let’s be upfront, if you’re offended by gay sex this is not the movie for you;
- Both actors are perfect in their roles;
- The movie asks, what would you do for love, what constitutes family and explores whether everyone finds their place in life;
- Ultimately though the movie is a surprising combination of brutality, humour and tenderness;
- Don’t go with your mother or on a first date.
For more information go to Luna Cinemas and Perth Festival. Starts Feb 19.
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