Makeup
Two tender performances sell this slightly muddled dramedy
Will Masheter's performance is the reason to check out Makeup.
At a glance, Dan (Will Masheter) could be mistaken for the UK’s equivalent of Patrick Bateman. He’s fit, he’s immaculately suited, and his hair is gelled within an inch of its life. It’s not a shock he works in finance, and it’s certainly not a shock that he’s one of the “alphas” at the company.
What might be a shock is that Dan loves nothing more than donning a wig, some ostentatious makeup, and dancing burlesque in his free time. His love of traditionally feminine aesthetics is his closest guarded secret and one that could ruin his life if the laddish men at the office discovered it. So it’s a risk when Dan decides to rent a room in his home to a perfect stranger.
The stranger is Sacha (Hugo André), a former chef de cuisine that was forced to leave his job when he developed a hand tremor. Now, he writes a food blog, using his kitchen acumen to write thoughtful reviews of local restaurants. Sacha is still hoping his tremor is temporary and he can return to his normal life.
While the duo is wary of each other at first, living together makes it impossible to avoid each other completely. Sacha begins to see glimpses of Dan’s true self, and in turn how he hides from the world. As Dan opens up, the duo forms a delicate trust.
Can Dan and Sacha aid each other in opening up to the world?
A story of two fragile souls who find strength in opening up, Makeup is a sweet, understated dramedy. Director/co-writer/star André has a knack for pulling out quietly beautiful moments from his actors. André and co-star and co-writer Masheter have a palpable chemistry that works well as both Sacha and Dan try to feel each other out. Their first tentative steps toward trust are thrilling. As Dan spirals into a crisis, he finds that the only person he may be able to trust is the quiet, awkward man living in his home.
A film made during COVID, Makeup at times feels like a pandemic film. The cast is small, and some of the public spaces are sparsely populated, but the sense of isolation helps set the tone for a movie about two lonely people yearning for connection.
While André’s Sacha is a sweet, funny character, it’s really Masheter’s Dan who shines. Dan has already lost his family due to his love of dressing up and performing in burlesque shows. He’s therefore acutely aware of how people will react to his secret life. He regards Sacha with suspicion at first, then with tentative interest. The bond that forms between them is built on careful trust.
Though the performances are great, the script lets Makeup down a bit. It odd that Dan wouldn’t seek comfort in the burlesque community he’s joined. Everyone at his work is a walking lawsuit — Dan could build his own burlesque club with the money he could get suing every single person he encounters at his job. The purpose is, of course, to drive Dan and Sacha closer, but it still feels odd that Dan hasn’t made any connection to the people he presumably practices choreographed routines with.
Still, there’s a good heart and a tender story at the foundation of Makeup, which helps to smooth out the contrived plot. Both André and Masheter offer quietly compelling performances that are well worth a look.
Verdict: A flawed narrative is saved by some heartfelt performances in this odd-couple dramedy.
Makeup is not rated and is available to rent or buy on your favorite VOD service.
