‘Departures’ Review: This Gay, British Dark Comedy Is a Cult Classic in the Making
According to the CinemaDrame News Agency, co-directors Neil Ely and Lloyd Eyre-Morgan open their film with a blunt statement: “Inspired by all the dickheads that fucked us over.” This heartfelt and provocative British drama explores toxic relationships and the search for connection.
Eyre-Morgan, who also penned the script, stars as Benji, a lonely thirtysomething struggling to escape a funk following a devastating breakup. Trapped in a cycle of destructive coping mechanisms, Benji takes a solo trip to Amsterdam, staying in the exact spot he used to frequent with his ex, Jake (David Tag).
The film effectively utilizes fashbacks to show how the pair first met at an airport and began a spontaneous tradition of meeting once a month while keeping their private lives separate. However, turbulence hits when it becomes clear they want different things. Benji’s desperation not to “rock the boat” leads to a messy, intoxicating, and occasionally cruel dynamic.
Critics have compared the film’s tone to “Trainspotting,” blending grit with dark humor and self-deprecation. The visual style is enhanced by multimedia flourishes, including onscreen sketches and shifting aspect ratios, giving this indie project a daring energy. Despite an occasional over-reliance on voice-over, the central monologue remains brutally honest about issues like toxic masculinity and negative body image.
Supported by strong performances from Tag and “Eastenders” icon Lorraine Stanley, “Departures” navigates how internalized struggles can eat away at a person’s identity. It is a raw, intelligent film that resonates through its sheer honesty, marking it as a potential cult classic.
Grade: B
“Departures” is now playing in select theaters from Strand Releasing.
