Dating Amber
Dating Amber

Movie spotlight

Dating Amber

2020
Movie
92 min
English

Eddie and Amber decide to stage a relationship in order to stop everyone speculating about their sexuality. Eddie is keen to follow his dad into the military, while Amber dreams of moving to the liberal hub of London. The plan seems solid, but as their arrangement begins to fall apart, Eddie’s denial gets deeper as Amber realizes that a perilous future awaits her best friend unless she intervenes.

Insights

IMDb6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes86%
Metacritic70/100
Google Users87%
Director: David FreyneGenres: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

In 1990s Ireland, two high school students, Eddie and Amber, concoct a plan to pretend to be a couple to avoid suspicion about their own sexual orientations. Eddie desperately wants to fit in and avoid his father's expectations, while Amber dreams of escaping their small town for New York. Their charade becomes increasingly complicated as their friendship deepens and they navigate the complexities of identity, societal pressures, and first love.

Critical Reception

Dating Amber was generally well-received by critics and audiences, praised for its heartfelt performances, charming humor, and sensitive exploration of LGBTQ+ themes within a specific historical and cultural context. The film was noted for its ability to balance its comedic elements with poignant moments of vulnerability.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its genuine humor and heartfelt exploration of teen identity.

  • The chemistry between the lead actors is a standout element.

  • Appreciated for its sensitive and nuanced portrayal of same-sex attraction in a conservative setting.

Google audience: Audiences largely enjoyed Dating Amber, highlighting its relatable characters, witty dialogue, and the emotional resonance of the story. Many found it to be a charming and moving film that successfully tackled important themes with warmth and authenticity.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for Best Film at the Dublin Film Critics Circle Awards.

Fun Fact

The film's setting in rural Ireland in the 1990s was chosen to reflect a time of significant social change and underlying prejudice regarding LGBTQ+ identities, making the characters' journey of self-discovery particularly poignant.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

This is quite a refreshingly clever coming-of age story with Fionn O'Shea ("Eddie") and Lola Petticrew ("Amber") as two gay teenagers who hit upon the perfect ploy to make sure they are left in peace by their classmates: they decide to date...

SWITCH.

SWITCH.

'Dating Amber' will tug those gay heartstrings and make you laugh along the way. It's a fabulous watch, offering a new voice in the ever-growing queer cinematic landscape. - Chris dos Santos Read Chris' full article... https://www.make...