Gender warfare comes into play when the power dynamic shifts in a secret workplace relationship.
Set around the highs and lows of managing a Manhattan hedge fund, Emily (Phoebe Dynevor) and Luke (Alden Ehrenreich) start out at the same level. After two years of a secret relationship, the couple is headed toward marriage. Just as they were planning to reveal their status, Emily is presented an offer, one that Luke was hoping to receive. Can love withstand jealousy and the male ego?
At first, it seems as if Luke supports Emily, encouraging her and even offering “helpful” tips. Then, he starts to undermine her work and step over her to prove his worth. Emily knows it’s not easy for a woman to receive the position she is now in, and she’s trying to make smart and calculated moves. But as Luke crosses lines and tests her insecurities, Emily’s personality shifts. Emily tries to save their relationship, but when it all becomes too much, she shifts her focus, “hangs with the guys,” and plays by their rules. But in the end, she’s smarter and better at her job than Luke, and she knows it.
Dynevor and Ehrenreich are both scene stealers in every production they star in. Both are captivating on screen, and first-time filmmaker Chloe Domont couldn’t have picked two better leads. You can tell Luke is a bit smarmy at first, but Ehrenreich is so captivating that his innocence almost blinds you… Almost. While Dynevor can easily slide from being a lovesick woman to a girlboss in seconds.
Fair Play is billed as a seductive thriller, but that’s misleading. Sure, it starts as a sexy romance, but in the end, this is a movie about toxic masculinity and sexism. Luke just can’t get past the fact that his girlfriend received a promotion and not him. Like real situations, he accuses her of sleeping her way to the top, which is wildly untrue. Emily has been downplaying her smarts regarding work, but their boss noticed her intelligence. When she starts making more money and the power dynamic shifts, it causes Luke to spiral. His ego just can’t handle it.
The first 30 minutes are rocky. The tone tries to set this up as a “sexy” movie. The first act is almost cringe-worthy, and the pacing of this film is all over the place. It feels like it’s trying to be four things at once. As the power shifts in the middle, that’s when things become interesting. Unfortunately, the third act becomes almost unbearable to watch, which is because it starts too tame to end on an extreme note. That being said, once Emily stops trying to save her relationship, her character and the story become ten times better.
There’s nothing too “thrilling” about Fair Play. In truth, it’s a drama about a battle of the sexes. If you’re expecting a steamy workplace thriller, this isn’t it. However, it is a solid film about power dynamics and the male ego.
Please check trigger warnings before watching this film.
Review: Fair Play
Score
Review Nation Review
The first 30 minutes are rocky. The tone tries to set this up as a "sexy" movie. The first act is almost cringe-worthy, and the pacing of this film is all over the place. It feels like it's trying to be four things at once. As the power shifts in the middle, that's when things become interesting. Unfortunately, the third act becomes almost unbearable to watch, which is because it starts too tame to end on an extreme note. That being said, once Emily stops trying to save her relationship, her character and the story become ten times better. There's nothing too "thrilling" about Fair Play. In truth, it's a drama about a battle of the sexes. If you're expecting a steamy workplace thriller, this isn't it. However, it is a solid film about power dynamics and the male ego.
