Dating Amber (2020) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The movie is set primarily in The Curragh, a rural area in County Kildare, Ireland, with key scenes set in Dublin. The Curragh represents a conservative, traditional Irish community, while Dublin provides a contrast as a more urban environment with an active LGBTQ+ scene.

• the curragh
• dublin
• setting
• rural ireland
• urban ireland

The film is set in 1995, during a period when LGBTQ+ rights were gaining visibility worldwide but rural Ireland remained largely conservative. This time setting reflects the cultural divide between traditional values and emerging acceptance.

• 1995
• time period
• 1990s
• ireland

The Curragh is depicted as a close-knit rural community that embodies traditional Irish culture and conservative values. It is portrayed as a place where LGBTQ+ individuals face significant pressure to conform and hide their true identities due to societal expectations.

• the curragh
• rural community
• conservative values

Dublin represents a stark contrast to The Curragh, a vibrant urban setting with a lively LGBTQ+ scene. For characters like Amber and Eddie, Dublin symbolizes freedom and the possibility of living authentically, offering an escape from the oppressive environment of rural Ireland.

• dublin
• urban
• lgbtq+ scene
• freedom

Identity is the central theme of the film, as both Eddie and Amber struggle to embrace their true selves in a community that rejects them. The movie explores the challenges LGBTQ+ individuals face, including fear of acceptance and pressure to conform, ultimately celebrating personal growth and authenticity.

• identity
• lgbtq+
• self-acceptance
• authenticity

The film showcases the power of friendship amidst adversity through the bond between Eddie and Amber. Their fake relationship becomes a refuge from societal pressures, providing mutual emotional support as they navigate their complex lives and hidden identities.

• friendship
• support
• alliance
• mutual support

The movie depicts the struggle of living as LGBTQ+ individuals in a conservative community through Eddie and Amber's experiences with harassment and societal expectations. Their efforts to mask their true identities underscore the emotional turmoil of feeling outcast and longing for acceptance.

• struggle
• harassment
• discrimination
• acceptance

Eddie is a sensitive teenager who grapples with his sexual identity while facing pressure from his military family. He enlists in the army to conform to expectations but internally yearns for self-acceptance. His character represents the conflict between external expectations and personal desires.

• eddie
• fionn o'shea
• gay
• army
• identity

Amber is a strong-willed girl seeking liberation from societal constraints and her past. She dreams of moving to London to explore her identity as a lesbian and takes significant risks by coming out to her mother and pursuing a relationship with Sarah. Her character embodies resilience and the pursuit of authenticity.

• amber
• lola petticrew
• lesbian
• london
• dreams

Sarah is a pivotal character in Amber's journey, representing the acceptance and romance Amber longs for. Their connection marks a turning point for Amber, offering her a glimpse into a fulfilling and authentic relationship, embodying the support needed for personal acceptance.

• sarah
• lauryn canny
• romance
• acceptance
• relationship

The film has a predominantly hopeful tone, centering on self-discovery and liberation despite the oppressive setting and homophobic harassment. The ending is bittersweet, both characters achieve self-acceptance and freedom, but this comes at the cost of leaving their old lives behind.

• tone
• hopeful
• bittersweet
• ending
• resolution