If I had a penny for every film where Rami Malek has played an eccentric performer dying of AIDS, I’d have two pennies. Of course, two pence would get you nothing in this economy, but it’s utter magic that this has happened twice. Directed by Ira Sachs and written by Sachs and Mauricio Zacharias, The Man I Love is a wonderful portrait of love, human connection, and the expression of life set against the backdrop of the AIDS crisis in 1980s New York.

Malek plays Jimmy George, an extravagant performer living with AIDS. When we meet him, he’s rehearsing the role of Carmen from the 1974 French-Canadian queer film Il était une fois dans l’Est (Once Upon A Time in the East) for a local theatre production. Carmen is Jimmy’s ultimate alter ego: strutting around in a pink mini dress and a blonde wig, she’s a merry distraction from his real-world troubles. All Jimmy wants to do is be able to perform and live life while he still can, and stepping into Carmen’s stilettos is a remedy for him to do just that.

Additional remedies in Jimmy’s life are his partner Dennis’s attentive care and new neighbour Vincent’s invigorating energy. The two men represent opposed elements in Jimmy’s world: life and death. Dennis is Jimmy’s partner who, through organising Jimmy’s medication and caring for him, represents the inevitable. Vincent, on the other hand, represents exactly what Jimmy is seeking: joy in living. He takes Jimmy drinking and dancing; they laugh until the early hours, and he injects life back into Jimmy’s being. Naturally, this creates a rift between Dennis and Vincent, who both believe they’re doing right by Jimmy. It culminates in a tense moment between them where the heartbreaking reality of Jimmy’s condition is revealed.

It’s obvious that there’s something special about Jimmy. It’s in the way his sister admires him and how Dennis loves him; in the way Vincent becomes fixated with him before he’s even met him. He’s the centre of attention even when he’s not in the room – although he effortlessly commands a room. He’s a beautifully written character, with Malek’s portrayal deserving every inch of praise.

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As expected, Malek is utterly glorious as Jimmy. He makes you laugh and smile and cry and hurt all at once. He is a magnificent actor with a stunning emotional range, and he has absolutely mastered this role. I can only hope for more pennies. Something Malek boasts is an enviable chemistry with just about everyone in this film. He has a particularly wonderful physicality with Tom Sturridge and Luther Ford, which add nuanced layers to Jimmy’s story.

Dennis remains a quietly dutiful partner to Jimmy, which Sturridge captures beautifully. His emotions are loud, although his manner is soft and still. And then there’s Vincent, played by Ford, the boat-rocker who indulges Jimmy’s desires. Rebecca Hall, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Maisy Stella add depth and humanity to this story, with brilliant performances from the additional supporting cast.

It’s Ford’s debut feature, and what a remarkable debut this is. He brings an eagerness and excitement to his character, representing the devil on Jimmy’s shoulder, facing off with Dennis’s angel. It makes for a curious dynamic and an emotionally layered story. There’s so much colour, joy and expression of life in this film. It’s a truly glorious depiction of love, human connection and grief through music and performance, captured through the artful lens of cinematographer Josée Deshaies. The screenplay is considerate and allows for a celebration of life rather than a focus on death. And what a beautiful thing that is.

★★★★

Playing at the 2026 BFI London Film Festival on October 8th & 9th / Rami Malek, Tom Sturridge, Luther Ford, Maisy Stella, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Rebecca Hall / Dir: Ira Sachs / mk2 films