Review: Dating Amber

In a small prejudice town in the ’90s, two gay high schoolers act as each other’s beards to avoid being bullied. 

Dating Amber is a comedy that will have you ugly crying. This movie is not your typical teen romance. It is a well-crafted film that highlights what it means to find yourself and how hard it is to take that leap to live for yourself and not those around you. 

In a small military town in Ireland, Eddie (Fionn O’Shea) is struggling with his sexuality. Amber (Lola Petticrew) is trying to hide hers. Tired of being tormented by her classmates, Amber suggests that they form a fake relationship to make the bullying stop. As the two “date,” they start to build an adorable friendship. Eddie starts to believe that he can live his life like this with Amber, even if it’s not what he truly wants. But as their friendship grows, so does their need to step out of the closet and into a life they both want.

I absolutely adored this movie from start to finish. Dating Amber holds a strong message that could have been a tough story to tell, but it was expertly executed. This movie will break your heart and put it back together again. 

The sweet and funny moments felt so natural, and a lot of that is because of the two leads.

Fionn O’Shea and  Lola Petticrew have an amazing chemistry that jumps off the screen and into your heart. O’shea has a moment about halfway into the film with a drag queen that will have you reaching for a box of tissues. Both actors brought characters with strong personalities life that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

Dating Amber is an excellent film that will grab your heart and not let it go. There’s A-plus acting and a touching script. It’s funny, brilliant, devastating, and heart-warming all at the same time. And while it centers around sexuality, it holds themes everyone can identify with.

Catch Dating Amber November 13th