Rialto
Rialto

Movie spotlight

Rialto

2020
Movie
90 min
English

Colm is in his mid-forties, married, with two teenage children. Still grieving the death of his father, a destructive figure in his life, Colm struggles with his relationship to his own son, whilst at work a recent takeover threatens his job. Unable to share his vulnerability with his wife, Colm’s world is falling apart around him. In the midst of this crisis, Colm finds a comfort that no one else can provide but Jay.

Insights

IMDb6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes77%
Metacritic64/100
Google Users75%
Director: Declan EamesGenres: Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

A closeted, middle-aged architect in Dublin, struggling with his marriage and the recent death of his father, finds himself drawn into a clandestine affair with a young, female sex worker. This unexpected connection forces him to confront his repressed desires and the societal expectations that have shaped his life. The film explores themes of identity, shame, and the search for authentic connection in the face of personal and societal constraints.

Critical Reception

Rialto received mixed to positive reviews from critics, who often praised its sensitive portrayal of complex themes and the strong performances, particularly from its lead actor. Some found the narrative to be somewhat conventional, but overall, it was recognized for its emotional depth and its exploration of LGBTQ+ identity within a specific cultural context.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its nuanced performance by Tom Vaughan-Lawlor.

  • Appreciated for its sensitive exploration of repressed sexuality and societal pressures.

  • Some found the plot progression to be predictable.

Google audience: Audiences generally found Rialto to be a moving and well-acted film, with many appreciating its frank depiction of a man grappling with his identity and desires. Some viewers noted the film's emotional weight and the strength of the lead performance as highlights.

Fun Fact

The film's director, Declan Eames, also wrote the screenplay, drawing inspiration from personal experiences and observations.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Tom Vaughan-Lawlor ("Colm") is a forty something dock manager from the port of Dublin who has a scary encounter with a young man in the toilet of shopping centre and ends up being robbed. Next day the young man "Jay" (Tom Glynn-Carney") tur...