Boyfriend Material

Oliver and Luc meet on the train. They discuss sex. Luc almost tells him about Miles but stops himself. They hold hands as they walk to Odile’s house. Oliver invites Luc to his friend Jennifer’s 30th birthday party so they can practice being in public more. Luc is concerned when he learns that all of Oliver’s friends are straight but agrees to attend. As they get closer to the house, Oliver starts having anxiety hiccups and worries that Luc’s mother won’t like him. Luc compliments Oliver and assures him that it will go well.

As soon as they arrive, Odile questions them about the fakeness of their relationship and why they are not dating for real. She tries to convince Oliver to date Luc as they enter the house. Judy introduces herself and claims to know about fake boyfriends because she feigned an engagement to a Russian spy in the 1950s. When Judy brings up Miles, Odile intercedes to prevent her from talking about him too much. Oliver helps Odile in the kitchen while Judy tells Luc a lengthy anecdote.

Odile serves over-spiced curry and admits that Jon wants to collaborate on a song with her. Luc is distressed and tries to explain his frustration, but Odile does not listen to his concerns.

Luc goes to clean the kitchen and Oliver joins him, assuring him that he is enjoying himself. They almost kiss before Odile calls to them that RuPaul’s Drag Race is about to start. Odile tries to explain drag queens to Oliver, who is very polite about her explanation. The conversation evolves into a moment between Odile and Oliver; Odile promises that if he lives his life how he wants, he will still be loved. As the night progresses, Luc is surprised by how good it feels to invite someone into his world.

Luc arrives at the vegan restaurant, where he chats with Rhys’s chef friend, Bronwyn, before meeting with two donors. The donors, who have recently started a chain of vegan stores, express concern for Luc’s lifestyle but insist that their concern is not based on his sexuality. He assuages their fears and pretends not to be offended. Afterward, he talks with the chef again, grappling with his role in catering to straight people even when they disdain him for his sexuality. He then invites Oliver to dine at the restaurant with him soon.

Oliver rents a car for the weekend trip to Jon’s farm and suggests that Luc spend the night beforehand. Luc struggles to feel comfortable in their relationship because he does not know how to interact with someone who seems genuinely concerned for his best interests. They go to the vegan restaurant for dinner, where their conversation is flirtatious. Luc feeds Oliver a brownie but, that night, regrets the sensual nature of the interaction. Oliver makes Luc French toast the next morning before they drive to Lancashire. Oliver surprises Luc by playing a popular fiction-horror podcast while he drives.

Luc and Oliver arrive at the farmhouse and find a filming crew, directly contradicting Jon’s previous promise to meet with Luc alone. Luc is outraged despite Oliver’s attempts to soothe him. Oliver expertly handles security guards who try to block their passage, and they find Jon. Filming takes five more hours, during which Luc must watch his father mentor a young man from a singing competition. After, Jon apologizes for the delay but frames the conversation so that Luc is made to feel at fault for his conflicting feelings. Oliver defends Luc. He points out that it is unreasonable for Jon to not regret abandoning his family. Before they leave, Luc tells Jon that if he truly wants to reconcile, it will have to be when it is convenient for Luc.

Luc puts on his father’s music for the drive home but is not sure why. Oliver describes some of the political motivations behind 1980s rock music. When they arrive at Luc’s apartment, Luc invites Oliver to stay. He shows off his cleaned apartment and tells Oliver it was mostly for himself but partly for Oliver. Oliver kisses him, and they have instant chemistry. After making out, they start to get ready for bed. Luc gets a notification on his phone while brushing his teeth and discovers that Cam, the journalist, has written an article for The Guardian about the dangers of living as a child of fame. He paints Luc as wounded and pathetic. Luc sits down on the floor and cries.

Oliver checks on Luc, who gives him the cold shoulder and refuses to unlock the bathroom door. When pressed, Luc describes how every facet of his life has been plastered in the news for cheap entertainment and breaks up with Oliver because his life will always be a media mess. Oliver leaves.

Luc calls Bridget and explains the breakup, then he stays on the phone while Bridget reads the piece. Luc describes how he sees an accurate portrayal of himself in the article, but Bridget dismisses this and returns the conversation to Oliver. Luc shares the anxiety he feels in his relationships, driven by his perception that he is a screwup. Bridget advocates for him to seek out his desires, and if that means Oliver, it is up to him to reconcile. She hangs up on him when he tries to argue. Luc decides to follow her advice and takes a taxi to Oliver’s house.

Luc arrives at Oliver’s as it starts to rain. Luc shows him the article and apologizes for his behavior. Oliver lets him in and gives him the chance to dry off while he reads the article. Oliver struggles to understand why it inspired such a reaction in Luc. Luc describes the ways that Oliver has improved his life and how he wants to be more honest so there can be security in their relationship. However, when Oliver asks him what the real problem is, Luc is unable to speak. Eventually, they sit on either side of a closed bathroom door so Luc can talk about his feelings with less pressure.

Luc describes how good he feels in their fake relationship and then provides information about his ex-boyfriend Miles. They were in a relationship for five years before things started to get difficult. Miles sold the story of their relationship to a prominent gossip magazine for $50,000. He shared the lurid details of their relationship and made Luc seem like someone he was not. Luc partied and engaged in casual sex following the ordeal, putting on a public persona that fit the person Miles described. He regrets how things impacted his mother and emphasizes how hard it is to trust people after being blindsided by such betrayal. He finally exits the bathroom to be embraced by Oliver.