Frankie says cry at films

The eye-watering price of a glass of wine at the cinema lobby was only the first thing to open the floodgates.

Our protagonist contemplating how Ped, Mark and Brian could ever have been pop stars.

Having recently rewatched Andrew Haigh’s All of Us Strangers on Disney+, I have to marvel at what a deeply emotional and haunting film it really is, lingering long after the credits roll. Even without its several references to the musical heroes of my childhood and youth, it would have been a powerful watch. But the use of Pet Shop Boys' Always on my mind and Frankie goes to Hollywood's The Power of Love in key scenes of the film is almost too much to bear.

Besides a must-see for fans of beautiful cinema, I think the film speaks to any fan of synthpop and the aforementioned bands, and indeed anyone with fond memories of a musical upbringing in the 80s. We're treated to Neil singing the Christmas number one on Top of The Pops on the telly in the background, PSB's I Want a Dog is played in a clubbing scene, and there are several glimpses of records of the era.

Just like the main character, I too had a Frankie poster on my bedroom wall – probably from the German Popcorn magazine – and a t-shirt of the cover of Welcome to The Pleasuredome. But I can also relate to the feeling of loneliness in my childhood and being an outsider. With a narrative structure that seamlessly blends reality with fantasy, Andrew Haigh (director of Pet Shop Boys latest New Bohemia video) delivers a masterful meditation on the themes of love, memory and the spectral ties that bind us to our past.

"Ooh, sometimes, the truth is harder than the pain inside. Ooh, sometimes, It's the broken heart that decides."

Andrew Scott as Adam, a solitary screenwriter living in a nearly empty London high-rise, and Paul Mescal as Harry, a mysterious neighbour of Adam's who gradually becomes a significant presence in his life, bring amazing raw emotion, authenticity and intimacy to their roles. Equally impressive are Claire Foy and Jamie Bell as Adam's long-deceased parents, adding performances to a couple of heart-wrenching scenes that caused me to shed the most tears ever since seeing Din Djarin say goodbye to his adopted son Grogu as he left for Jedi school with Luke.

I pranced around at school in a t-shirt with this print on it, and was only bullied as speccy four eyes. Go figure.

Adapted by Haigh from Taichi Yamada’s novel “Strangers,” the film creates a dreamlike atmosphere with contemplative scenes that give the characters space to express their grief, love, and regrets. Exploring the complexities of human relationships, particularly the lingering impact of loss and the healing power of connection, All of Us Strangers speaks to the universality of human experience. It’s a meditation on the past’s grip on the present and the transformative power of love, both otherworldly and profoundly human. Highly recommended!