If you are a fan of the popular queer Netflix series “Heartstopper,” then you will probably also adore “Bonus Track” (Sunrise Films). Co-written by actor Josh O’Connor (“Challengers,” “God’s Own Country,” and the forthcoming gay movie “The History of Sound”), “Bonus Track” is the feature-length debut from director Julia Jackman.
Separated into nine “tracks,” including the titular “bonus track,” the movie is set in West Yorkshire in 2006. Socially awkward, music-obsessed 16-year-old George (Joe Anders) is struggling as a year 11 student. In conferences with George’s teachers, his father Jeff (Jack Davenport) and stepmother Julia (Alison Sudol fka musician A Fine Frenzy) learn that he’s failing every class. Shockingly, that also includes music where Mr. Zeppelin (Ray Panthaki) regularly harasses him. Only one of his teachers, Ms. Anderson (Susan Wokoma) shows any concern for George and offers him guidance.
But George’s life is about to change significantly with the arrival of new student Max (Samuel Small). The son of famous musical parents who are in the process of divorcing, Max has moved to West Yorkshire to be with his mother in the town where she was raised. An unexpected friendship develops between the teens.
Meanwhile, George obsesses over the upcoming talent show, seeing it as his last chance to do something big and important. With Max’s music background, George asks him if we would like to collaborate on songs. After initially turning George down, he agrees to work with him. Watching George’s interactions with Max, it becomes clear that he is developing a crush on him.
However, Max sends mixed signals, especially after agreeing to go on a date with class mean girl Molly (Elle McCloskey). That date, which also includes George and Polly (Ciara Southwood), doesn’t go too well, especially after Polly declares to George that it was “typical” of her to “get dragged along on a date with a gay guy.” Things get better when Max and George leave the girls and go for piercings (Max’s nose and George’s ear).
Things really intensify during a school field trip for the year 11 students to an action camp. There, the class not only encounters camp leader Donna (Ellie Kendrick), with whom Ms. Anderson apparently has a kind of history, but Max and George also take the next step in their relationship. After sneaking out of their shared cabin, they are caught in a kiss by members of the press who have been hounding Max because of his parents.
Just when things couldn’t possibly get worse for George, Jeff, and Julia announce they are going to begin a trial separation. To add insult, Max tells George that he is relocating to London with his father. But this is one of those modern queer Brit rom-coms, with a hard-won happy ending, including George’s acceptance into music school, allowing “Bonus Track” to live up to its title.
Rating: B+
