THE STORY – A haunting journey set in 1980s London, where one young man’s search for a missing friend becomes an unforgettable story of love, loss, and gay legacy.
THE CAST – Éanna Hardwicke, Jack Wolfe, Jessica Reynolds, Rupert Everett & Christina Hendricks
THE TEAM – David Turpin (Director/Writer)
THE RUNNING TIME – 106 Minutes
Daniel Turpin’s debut feature, set in the late 1980s, follows Éanna Hardwicke’s Beau, a gay man living in London who leads a simple yet satisfying life. His time away from his home in Ireland, where homosexuality remains illegal, has only led him to the warm company of his dedicated friend Shell, played by Jessica Reynolds, and Rupert Everett’s Maurice, the elder owner of the cafe he works in. He roams the parks and bars, cruising for hook-ups, ultimately living a lifestyle that contains some semblance of freedom. That’s where the mysterious Tiny, played by Jack Wolfe, comes crashing into Beau’s world, making such a memorable impact in such a short amount of time. Their time, though, is fleeting, as one morning Beau comes home to find Tiny missing, with no idea where he could be. “Ancestors” soon turns Beau’s search for his missing companion into a whirlwind of memories and fears that compellingly reflects the legacy left behind by many men like Beau, whose worlds are abruptly taken from them.
The film works so well because audiences are instantly hooked, as Turpin’s non-linear storytelling places them in the foggy headspace that clouds Beau’s mind. We’re constantly weaving between the past, present, and everything in the great beyond. Not once while watching the film did Turpin’s story structure ever become hard to follow or ever insistent in any manner. It’s thanks to the exceptional work of editor Stephanie McCutcheon that “Ancestors” feels like a hazy daydream that keeps us hooked as Beau’s frustrations with himself and those in his life slowly slip away.
Hardwicke, who delivers a career-best performance, brings such confidence to Beau while also personifying the warmth of a candle ready to flicker out at any second. He’s a man slowly being pushed to the edge, re-evaluating every action he’s made leading up to this point in his life. Whenever Hardwicke is on screen, you can’t keep your eyes off of him, as every decision he makes as a performer feels like a natural extension of Beau’s conflicted soul. Wolfe is also great for the time he has on screen; he easily embodies the mysterious magnetism Tiny possesses and how even a trait as special as that is slowly eroded. Both Hardwicke and Wolfe are spectacular whenever they’re on screen together, displaying sensitivity, compassion, and longing that would win over anyone who watches.
Turpin’s implementation of more established actors also adds so much to the world he creates in “Ancestors.” Everett, a veteran of his craft, steals every second he appears on screen. Maurice’s dependability and kindness are the embodiment of what Turpin is aiming for with this film. It’s a heartwarming depiction of what empathy and showing up for those who matter can mean, even when it feels like all is lost. Everett has a lovely energy as Maurice rambles to Tiny and others about the golden-age beauties of the silver screen he idolizes. Christina Hendricks even briefly appears as Gloria, one of these women who becomes the physical manifestation of an ethereal entity that helps to guide Beau to what he wants (and doesn’t want) to discover.
Where “Ancestors” suffers is that, despite Turpin’s confident direction, the film at times struggles to distinguish itself from the films that heavily influenced its creation. Patrick Jordan’s stunning cinematography occasionally feels eerily reminiscent of features like “All of Us Strangers” and “Aftersun.” Jordan still shoots the clubs, streets, and purgatory-esque locations with such beauty that these narrative and visual comparisons don’t take away much from what Turpin is trying to create here. The ending also feels a bit drawn out, dragging past the emotional resolution Beau arrives at, as does the audience. It’s a bit too neat a resolution, but one that will certainly bring the waterworks for audiences.
Turpin’s “Ancestors” is more than just one of the many films we seem to get these days about Queer tragedy or repression. It’s a touching tribute to an entire generation no longer here today. Amid the story’s inherent sadness, it proves that even in darkness, there’s a light to be found. With an ensemble of exceptional performances, a powerful story, and a more than impressive display of direction, “Ancestors” proves itself to be one of the more exciting gems to be discovered at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival.
