FILMS X JENI’S: My Policeman
The sequel to I Love Harry Styles but Maybe Movies Aren’t his Thing.
Most of my notes are on Harry in this one; the movie itself was fine. It didn’t feel like I was wasting my time watching it, but I also wouldn’t argue with someone who felt that way. I actually think the story was very interesting, the cast was (mostly) solid, and it did a great job at showing the horrible discrimination the gay community has faced for decades (longer than that, but this film takes place in the 1950’s). Somehow it gave me gay, British, The Notebook vibes - probably because of the time jumps and forbidden love.
I think this movie just would’ve been elevated had Harry not been in it. While with Don’t Worry Darling it was unfair to put him in direct line of fire for comparison with Florence Pugh’s greatness, with My Policeman the problem lied in the fact that he was thrust too much into the spotlight. This movie was essentially all about him, and while the mannerisms & physicality of his acting are honest & believable, and he definitely fit elements of his character (i.e. the sexuality and naïveté), it’s when he opens his mouth that things fell flat. All the lines come out monotone or too deliberate. You can tell he’s thinking about them. And he had a lot of lines in this one to make that weakness very apparent.
I also am a little tired of him just playing the sex symbol trope. I suppose people make their entire careers off of capitalizing on that type and while it definitely fits him, between Eros from Eternals, the heightened sex of Don’t Worry Darling, and now this, it’s very apparent that it’s the one thing selling him in the film & tv industry.
As far as the movie itself goes, my one actual critique of the story is that we had a lot of exposition, and when we finally started to address where things went downhill in the past, the movie ended. However, I know it was adapted from a novel based on a true story, so perhaps this stemmed back to another source.
Would I watch it again? Maybe.
Tear level: I don’t think I cried but it could definitely be a tear-jerker, particularly for people who identify with it.
Watch when: you want a heavy drama.
Soundtrack/score: I immediately saved it on Spotify so that’s a good sign.
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The Jeni’s Pairing
We’re having a trio in a bowl with a waffle crisp because the message is a lot but it’s not presented in a particularly fancy fashion. We’re having Cream Puff for the European vibes, Brambleberry Crisp for the 1950’s traditional vibes, and Wedding Cake for The LGBTQIA+ Deserve Equal Rights for Marriage and Everything Else vibes. Plus 2/3 are a little fruity.
MORE ON THE FLAVORS:
An ode to one of Jeni’s all-time favorite desserts: the giant German cream puff. It took months to perfect the unique, candy-like, single-note vanilla that complements the rich egg custard. A delicate sprinkle of sea salt mimics Bavarian-style cream. And a heavy hand of soft pastry flakes lends the flavor and texture of a mega cream puff. This ice cream immediately tops our most popular list every time we release it and is a personal favorite of Jeni's.
Brambleberry Crisp is like a slice of fresh berry pie mixed with a scoop vanilla ice cream in every bite. Sweet vanilla ice cream made with high-quality vanilla from Madagascar. A regal purple jam swirl inspired by the blackberries and blackcurrants that grow wild all over the hillsides of the Appalachian foothills — the kinds of brambly berries Jeni would pick. And a brown sugar oat streusel crumble with just a kiss of cinnamon inspired by Jeni’s family recipe. It softens a little in the ice cream, just like on a real crisp. First introduced in 2009 during our Foggy Mountain Collection, Brambleberry Crisp was such a superstar that we had to keep it on the menu full-time.
Wedding Cake is like a perfect moment suspended in ice cream. Rich, buttercream ice cream with an indulgent, icing-like texture. Spongy, pale yellow (and gluten-free!) cake pieces. And two sauces—bright and decadent lemon curd radiating with sunny citrus and a sweet-tart, almost regal blackberry jam. A downright delicious flavor you won’t soon forget.
