Written and directed by Bill Oliver, co-written by Peter Nickowitz, Nicky (Luke Evans) and Gabriel (Billy Porter) have been together for thirteen years and they now have an eight-year-old son, Owen. Gabriel loves Owen more than anything; Nicky loves Gabriel more than anything.
Despite appearances, Gabriel has been dissatisfied with their marriage and tells Nicky he wants a divorce, leading to a custody battle that forces them to confront the changing reality of their love for each other and for their son. Also starring: Christopher Woodley, Robin Weigert, Andrew Rannells, Phylicia Rashad, Kate Burton, Cassandra Freeman, David Pittu, Michael Countryman, Francis Jue and Nuala Cleary.
With Our Son, Bill Oliver and Peter Nickowitz explore the idea of, after fighting for the right to get married and have children, how does the LGBTQ+ community deal with divorce. The resignation and disappointment compounded by the work it took to gain something that so many others have taken for granted. It’s an interesting idea but it doesn’t feel like the film truly has the space for that discussion, instead coming across fairly sentimental and straightforward. It captures the struggle and drudgery but not quite the larger issues at play.
It’s an element which holds Our Son back, there’s a feeling of following a certain formula. The dialogue can feel stiff and too constructed, almost in a tone fit for the stage rather than the screen. That in turn can then make it feel slightly cold, especially when mixed with the direction and cinematography which don’t have much energy to add. It has a quite bland palette which can make things feel one-noted.
Although Luke Evans and Billy Porter do certainly try to inject the film with plenty of drama, emotion and tension. While it is a nice change of pace to see this story from the perspective of a gay couple, the whole situation is still very familiar so unfortunately, there’s only so much they add. Interestingly, one of the film’s most endearing moments comes not between them but between Porter and Phylicia Rashad who plays Gabriel’s mother. The two have a fantastic chemistry that’s so natural and a lot of fun.
That’s not to say Evans and Porter don’t, their connection is present and as their characters grow further apart it unexpectedly becomes even better. They capture that idea of the distance giving them a better view of each other. There’s also a great supporting cast at work, with a lot of familiar faces, as well as a rather impressively complicated performance from Christopher Woodley who plays their son, Owen.
Our Son had a nice idea but sadly, it feels as though it’s one of those films where all it has to offer is nice. It’s not as complex as hoped, it’s missing something to bring it to life more strongly. Every element feels solid but not exceptional, occasionally it also feels too formulated, not quite able to bring a distinct or individual personality into the mix. The intention is undoubtedly there but it can’t manage to reach its potential.
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