Kate (the great Ruth Wilson who balances solidly between roles in blockbusters, series and British art films) is a thirty-something-year-old woman from a British coastal town whose life seems to have fallen into a rut. Life seems to just pass her by, nothing interesting happens, she is dissatisfied, frustrated, and although it is obvious that she would like a man in her life and not be left alone, she is at an age when it is still harder to meet someone who would meet the criteria. She works as a clerk in some kind of center for the unemployed or for social care, and it seems that she has already come to terms with the fact that some exciting time is behind her and that her only destiny is boredom, loneliness and a dull everyday life.
But that rut will be completely broken by the arrival at her counter of a mysterious type of bleached hair who does not even try to hide that he has recently been released from prison. He seems confident, as if he knows what he wants, and Tom Burke has a very similar role as he had in Joanne Hogg’s recent “Souvenir”. Again, he’s the type of some diabolical charm, a man on whose forehead literally writes danger, but probably not even understanding why, Kate will agree to his lunch invitation even though a colleague suggests her office rules forbid going out with clients. Instead of having lunch, Kate will immediately have sex with the Blue in a public place or in the parking lot and very soon she will go completely crazy for a guy whose name she doesn’t even know.
Immediately after the first meeting, Kate will start behaving completely irrationally and as if she will not realize that her life is completely off the beaten track. Although she will relatively quickly realize that Blue is a manipulator and egoist who is obviously also mentally unstable, Kate seems unable to help herself. Her life will turn into complete chaos, but some subconscious fear of loneliness and that nothing more interesting will happen to her in life, as well as some almost animal attraction, will overpower reason. British filmmaker Harry Wootliff presented herself with a quality romantic drama “Only You” three years earlier, and as “True Things” she decided to turn to slightly darker tones.
This psychological drama proved to be an extremely interesting character study carried by Wilson with a quality performance. Although her psychology is initially quite difficult, almost impossible to understand, over time, at least to some extent, the viewer manages to get into her head and figure out how it is possible for a woman like her to allow such a guy to do it all to her. Again Wootliff tried to play complex characters and a complex relationship, but it was still weaker than “Ony You”, and “True Things” is a film about a woman who desperately wants to be loved and loved by someone and a guy who doesn’t even try, maybe can’t figure it out. It is a film with a strong erotic charge because Kate will soon give in to Blue and allow him to do with her what he wants, and of course he will use it very much, he will come and go when it suits him while Kate will remain in chaos.