Dating Amber
2020 · Directed by David Freyne
Original language: English
- comedy
- drama
- romance
The story
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.
What it’s like
Warm, sun-washed Irish summer light and bright, unfussy school-corridor colour give this coming-of-age comedy a soft, lived-in look, with easy handheld framing that stays close to its two teenagers in kitchens, bedrooms and bus stops. The sound is pop-leaning and jaunty in the lighter stretches, with quieter, more intimate moments where the dialogue is allowed room to breathe. Its vibe is bittersweet and affectionate, the kind of gentle, funny-sad film that suits a lazy weekend afternoon or a comfort rewatch on a rainy evening. The pacing is brisk and conversational, moving through awkward banter and small escalations toward a tender, emotionally honest reckoning. The emotional arc follows two best friends who fake a romance to deflect gossip, and gradually learn what they owe each other and themselves. Language is frank and some scenes touch on bullying, family pressure and homophobia, but the handling is sincere and never graphic; violence is minimal and the tone stays humane. It is for people who want a funny, sentimental queer story about friendship, identity and growing up, with warmth rather than cynicism.
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