Georgia Oakley’s “Blue Jean”

Blue Jean (2022)

Solid directorial debut with compelling performances from Rosy McEwen, Kerrie Hayes and Lucy Halliday tells a story of love, discrimination, and integrity with conviction

Set in 1988, Blue Jean tells the story of PE teacher Jean(Rosy McEwen) who loves her job and her girlfriend Viv( Kerrie Hayes) but living under the threat of Thatcher’s Section 28 legislation which prohibited the "promotion of homosexuality" by local authorities, she is forced to live a double life which is threatened by the arrival of Lois, a new arrival at her school.

Told with confidence and palpable sincerity, it’s horrifying to look back into recent history and see how utterly ridiculous the herd mentality is from a perspective like Jean’s. The film is grounded, convincing and naturally acted with a likeable cast of characters. It takes no great risks in the telling of its story, but because of the genuineness, that really doesn’t matter. It also gives the film a foundation in reality.

McEwen holds her own in the lead and has a mesmerising chemistry with Hayes. Likewise, Halliday’s performance hints at a volcano underneath her subdued frustrations in a lovely and nuanced portrayal of newcomer Lois.

A genuine and well told story of love, discrimination and integrity which charts a confident course through to a satisfying finale which avoids an overly sentimental ending.