Watching previous films I often felt Luke Evans was holding something back in his performances so it's nice to see him in a role where he can truly shine and show us just what a great actor he is. This is very apparent in Our Son, a sometimes rather rote divorce film that is elevated by the performances of the two leads. The relationship and the emotions here feel very real and that's due mostly to the Evans and Porter, the latter playing against type in an understated yet powerful performance.
Sure the film feels like it's going through some divorce cliches but some of this is abated by the fact that we are watching the divorce of two men so the gendered roles that normally dominate these stories are gone and instead the narrative focuses on the roles of the characters instead of their genders. This helps the story feel more refreshing.
Our Son's story focuses its attention in a good place, on the journey of Evans' character specifically in being able to let go and live into a new phase of his life. He isn't the one that chooses the divorce and his resistance is palpable. The release eventually comes in how he finds he can still be the father he wants to be without having to control everything. He can find respite in connection again and allow his son and his ex to also find connection. This is perhaps something that is the most essential in these sorts of transitions and I liked the way Our Son handled this.
The real strength here is in the two leads doing a very good job embodying their roles and being vulnerable in a way that felt honest.
Our Son
Starring: Billy Porter, Luck Evans, Christopher Woodley, Andrew Rannells, Phylicia Rashad
Director: Bill Oliver
Writers: Peter Nickowitz, Bill Oliver
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