Following a drunken encounter, two equally attached men from a cash strapped and divided gay rugby club unwittingly sleepwalk into an adulterous affair but must conceal their growing feelings or risk destroying the club they love.
When an injured player from the A-team is selected to play with the Bs as part of his recovery, tensions are already high. Initial suspicion turns to physical lust for two of the team members and personal loyalties are stretched as they try to conceal the affair, not only from their own partners but also their teammates. Alexander Lincoln and Alexander King give magnetic performances as the lovers, alongside an excellent ensemble cast. Hard drinking and macho antics are par for the course amongst the team, but these bulky athletes soon reveal their vulnerabilities. Even if you've never played rugby, or even had a taste for it, you'll be drawn into the drama of these young men. Prepare yourself for a muddy, sweat-drenched emotional thrill ride.—Brian Robinson
Minute for minute, you won't find a more handsome-packed film this year than British rugby drama In from the Side, a surprisingly moving sports-team story slathered in sweat, streaked with mud, and dripping with sexuality. As a "B Squad" of gay athletes tries to overcome inexperience and push past rivalries to score an elusive win, a secret affair simmers among them. Romantic Mark (puppy-eyed Alexander Lincoln) finds himself unable to avoid the blazing appeal of teammate Warren (Alexander King), who sets off every red (or in rugby, yellow) flag: the cocky attitude, the emotional unavailability, the long-term boyfriend. In From The Side dives deep into rugby-half macho battlefield, half tender brotherhood-but don't sweat the rules (or "laws," which even the sport's fans find impenetrable): the real drama occurs off the field as infidelities, heartbreak, and unimpeded passions rule the day. A triumph for director Matt Carter-who shot, edited, co-wrote, and composed the music-In from the Side infuses every vivid frame with heat.—K.M. Soehnlein
The film:Mark, living in his boyfriends (Richards) flat (read penthouse) is in the 'B Team of his Queer rugby club - The Stags. At a post match party he meets Warren, an 'A Team' player returning from injury. The pair begin an affair. Richard (Marks boyfriend) is almost never home with work. However Warrens boyfriend -John- is also on the 'A-team squad. Warren, citing an 'Easy warm up match' to ease back into playing, joins Mark and the 'B-team' to play in Cardiff -which they win."Romantic Mark finds himself unable to avoid the blazing appeal of teammate warren, who sets off every Red (or in rugby yellow) blay: the cocky attitude, the emotional unavailability, the long-term boyfriend"Mark, after Richard refuses to do Christmas with Marks parents, invites Warren, where they fall more in love with one another. Marks mum explains how She met his father and their history with affairs - this changes Mark - does he really want to copy his parents and start a relationship out of an affair and also end up having future affairs in their 'marriage'.At a new years party Warren and Mark are caught by 'B-team' teammate Pinky, Who says nothing. But Warren texts Mark while taking a team picture. Gareth reads this, telling Henry (Marks friend) and the news gets around quick. As the clock strikes midnight, Markgets punched, and eventually goes home after neither Warren or Henry stick up for him.Richard is waiting at home for Mark with the picture he took of Warren the second time he brought him (W) home. Richard put him in the spare room and told him to pack his stuff in the morning.
3 months later, Mark has left the team, meeting Pinky who tries to convince him to re-join. Pinky tells Warren he owes the team one and meets at the park. Warren tries to make a move and Mark (despitestill liking him) Shuts him down. Mark re-joins the team.Mark plays the final match of the season, Warren and John are watching. Richard joins them and watches Markplay for the first time. They speak after the game, where the Stags win 12-10 after Henry scores the final penalty. Warren waits outside the changing rooms - alone- for Mark. They talk about the game briefly. Warren tells Mark he and John areleaving the team. They (Warren and Mark) share a final kiss and Mark leaves for the after game Party and pints - where Henry gets man of the match and Pinky gets Dick of the day (and season). Meanwhile. Warren is upset that Mark left him even after offering to break up with John right there and then.He is alone in the changing rooms and cries for a moment before meeting John Outside where they leave the club for the last time.
