With his performances as Aphrodite Banks, Jules has a place among London's celebrated drag artists.
One night after a show, he steps out to get some cigarettes and is brutally attacked by a man, out with a gang of his friends.
Although Jules is able to recover physically, he withdraws from the outside world, traumatized. Months later, he recognizes his attacker by chance in a gay sauna.
Without make-up and wrapped only in a towel, Jules is able to approach the other man incognito and find out who he is.
He begins an affair with the closeted Preston, with a plan to take his revenge......
Femme is one of those films that comes out of nowhere, metaphorically gives you a gut punch, and becomes one of the films of the year.
Never since Tommy Devito have I found a character so tense and terrifying. And Preston is that character. MacKay is at his career best as Preston, a ticking timebomb just waiting to explode. Every ounce of affection he gives Jules is just a facade. His affection is masked along with his personality. Preston is beyond saving. A troubled man in the closet fearing that he will be exposed to his entourage. He's a narcissist of the highest order, and every scene MacKay is in is electric.
And Jules is in constant fear that Preston will see his mask slip, and he will recall what he did to him. Preston must have so many emotions going through his head, that he knows deep down that the initial attack was for show, and that's all Preston is, a show, and his fear that his real self will be exposed could potentially cause him to be more explosive than he already is.
This is what makes the film so brilliant. It's the tension that runs along with the narrative that keeps the viewer on edge throughout.
What will happen when Jules exacts his revenge? Or is he developing feelings for someone that made him hide his true self?
It's all about hiding ones self for fear of the unknown, and it's a wonderful film, really wonderful.
It's no easy watch, that's for sure, but my gosh, it's brilliant.
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