Watch Sulphur and White
- NR
- 2021
- 2 hr 1 min
-
5.3 (290)
Sulphur and White is a gripping dramatic film that tells the true story of a man's journey towards redemption and self-discovery. Directed by Julian Jarrold, the film stars Mark Stanley as David Tait, a successful businessman whose glamorous and wealthy lifestyle belies a traumatic past of sexual abuse. The movie portrays Tait's life through a series of flashbacks and present-day drama as he struggles to come to terms with his past and take control of his life. Anna Friel co-stars in the movie as Vanessa, Tait's wife, who tries to support him through his darkest moments, but finds herself increasingly isolated as Tait turns to alcohol and begins to spiral out of control.
At the heart of Sulphur and White is the question of whether or not Tait can confront the demons of his past, find the strength to break free from the influence of his abuser, and move forward to build a better life for himself and his family.
The film opens with Tait as a young boy, growing up in poverty in the 1970s. His father is an abusive alcoholic and his mother struggles to keep the family afloat. Tait is befriended by an older man named Peter, who soon begins to sexually abuse him. The abuse continues for years, until Tait finally manages to break free and move to London, where he starts a new life for himself.
Now a successful businessman, Tait is haunted by the memories of his past, and finds himself unable to form any meaningful relationships. He numbs his pain through alcohol and one-night stands, until he meets Vanessa. Vanessa is attracted to Tait's charisma and success, but soon realizes that he is struggling with something deeper than just a fear of commitment.
As Tait's past begins to catch up with him, he is forced to confront the truth about his abuse and the identity of his abuser. The film culminates in a powerful and emotional scene as Tait confronts Peter, in a bid to finally put his past behind him and find closure.
One of the striking features of Sulphur and White is the way in which it portrays the impact of childhood sexual abuse on adult survivors. The film does not shy away from the trauma and pain that survivors experience, nor does it exploit it for dramatic effect. Instead, it presents a nuanced and sympathetic portrayal of the complex emotions and struggles that survivors face, as they try to overcome the legacy of their abuse.
The film's cast delivers strong performances across the board, with Mark Stanley giving a particularly nuanced and engaging portrayal of Tait. Anna Friel is also excellent as Vanessa, conveying the emotional turmoil that her character feels as she tries to support her husband through his struggles.
Overall, Sulphur and White is a powerful and thought-provoking film that deals with a difficult subject matter in a sensitive and authentic way. It is a gripping and emotional story that will stay with viewers long after the credits have rolled.
Sulphur and White is a 2021 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 1 minute. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.3.