Colin (Harry Melling), a timid man, meets Ray (Alexander Skarsgård), a confident biker gang leader, who initiates him into a submissive relationship.
Pillion has had almost universally positive reviews and I cannot fault the quality of the lead performances, Henry Lighton’s direction or Nick Morris’ cinematography. But it is the descriptions in those reviews of a “love story” and even “sweet” that I have to take issue with.
Colin is a vulnerable young man, who is struggling to cope with the imminent loss of his terminally ill mum, Peggy. He clearly craves affection and Ray is a creep who exploits that. Only Peggy, played by the brilliant Lesley Sharp seems to question the nature of the relationship and sees Ray for what he is.
In the end, I am not sure what point that Lighton and his co-writer, Adam Mars-Jones are trying to make, especially with their depressing ending. I cannot help feeling that the reception would be very different if Colin’s character was female.
Rating: 3.5 out of 10