My Policeman: The Other Side of Harry Styles’ Acting

Harry Styles has been the subject of plenty film related drama this year.  The singer has tackled two leading roles which proved to be quite a big step in his acting career since his debut in Christopher Nolan’s grizzled war movie Dunkirk.  Styles has played Jack Chambers in Olivia Wilde’s psychological thriller (and the instigator of said film related drama) Don’t Worry Darling and Tom Burgess in My Policeman, directed by Michael Grandage.

The 1950s era is highlighted in both films, one being set in the actual 1950s and one having a sort of sickly faux fifties flare.  In both films, Styles rocks neat, wrinkle less outfits and gelled hair, which luckily suit him quite well.  Despite the odd similarities, theres a difference in Styles’ acting.  Styles was called out for his acting in Don’t Worry Darling, which sometimes bordered on the same energy as the understudy of the lead boy in a school play. After seeing the film, I felt there was no need to level his acting as horrendous, but rather, amateur.  This makes sense, however, since that’s what Styles is when it comes to acting.  It can’t be denied that Styles is one hell of a performer on a stage belting out his own songs.  In Don’t Worry Darling, yes, his displays of anger were a bit weak and yes, he had his rigid moments.  Yet, judging him by his acting in Don’t Worry Darling alone is a little unfair given his performance in My Policeman.

My Policeman plays out like a piece of literature, which makes sense since it’s based on a book.  The filming is simple but it’s simplicity brings out the acting from our lead trio, David Dawson, Emma Corrin and of course, Harry Styles.  Tom Burgess, a policeman in Brighton, England in the 1950s is a complex character.  Styles does a decent job of displaying that complexity.  He was able to capture the surface level brutishness that comes with being a “copper” and the intense feelings that rise when coming to terms with your sexuality.  The moments towards the beginning of the film were particularly noteworthy.  These early scenes highlight Tom’s internal battle with learning who he is.  When Tom and his love interest Patrick first get to know each other, Tom exhibits a sense of fear when he first realizes that he enjoyed kissing Patrick.  David Dawson, who played Patrick, did an excellent job of showing a sense of sureness since he was already aware of his own sexuality and had been for some time.  Styles, on the other hand, showed the fear that might come with falling in love in an era that would have you killed for being gay.

Styles’ acting should not be overlooked quite yet.  After his performance in My Policeman, it’s clear that he has more to show and I hope he does.