Film review: ‘CLOSE’ by Nick Gardener from ‘Built For Speed’

Belgian coming of age drama Close, which has been nominated for the Best International Feature Film at this year’s Oscars, is destined to be hailed one of the year’s most important and affecting films. Beautifully shot and superbly acted, this is a devastating study of guilt, grief, homophobia, destructive teenage social rules, the roots of toxic masculinity and the end of childhood.

Newcomers Eden Dambrine and Gustave de Waele play Leo and Remi, two seemingly inseparable 13-year-old boys who spend nearly every minute with each other. They live in what looks like a semi-rural idyll playing together in the fields of Leo’s family farm and throughout the early part of the film they willingly express affection for one another.  Their bond is tested, however, when they enter the volatile yet rigidly stratified world of high school and their relationship comes under the scrutiny of the raucous and judgemental alpha males and females in their classroom. It’s not explicitly stated whether Leo and Remi have a queer relationship but their closeness is questioned by their peers. The mocking and social disapproval soon begins to drive a wedge between the two boys with tragic results.

Every aspect of this film is almost perfectly judged: Lukas Dhont’s precise direction in only his second feature film, the incisive writing from Dhont and Angelo Tijssens, the exquisite cinematography from Frank van den Eeden, the evocative music from Valentin Hadjadj and the wonderfully moving and organic performances from the entire cast, particularly Dambrine and de Waele.  Both are remarkable new talents, Dambrine in particular, who shoulders much of this film and subtly but powerfully conveys the unbearable emotions pressing on him.  Perhaps most impressive is how the cast say so much with facial expressions and small behaviours; what they don’t say speaks volume. While the dialogue is potent, this could have worked as a silent film.

The sorts of issues explored in Close have been addressed in other films, particularly European arthouse cinema and it brings to mind recent works such as Call Me By Your Name and even Let the Right One In.  Seldom, though, have films explored these issues with the clarity, insight and fierce emotional undercurrent achieved here.

Nick’s rating: *****

Genre: Drama/ Coming of age.

Classification: M.

Director(s): Lukas Dhont.

Release date: 16th Feb 2023..

Running time: 104 mins.

Reviewer: Nick Gardener can be heard on “Built For Speed” every Friday night from 8-10pm on 88.3 Southern FM.

 

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