User reviews

2022 NZIFF. Probably should have waited until tomorrow to do a more measured review, but watch this film for the acting masterclass from Eden Dambrine (Leo). To say so much with expressive eyes without uttering a sound; excitement, beguile, love, sorrow, terrible loss - one can't look away. What a find, and congratulations to the casting director. As for the film, kudos to the director Lukas Dhont for such exquisite framing, sequencing, colours and sound. Special mention to the flower farm hard work scenes, and the scenes following the boys at speed, whether running on a beach or through the flower farm, or on their bikes - amazing tracking. The topic of unbearable loss creating misplaced guilt is dealt with a sensitive directorial hand, and the maturity shown by a thirteen year old to navigate such a role must not go unrecognised. Also need to mention Gustav De Waele as the best friend of Leo and Igor van Dessel, Leo's brother - both are brilliant in support, and I also loved the subtle role of Leo's mother, played by Léa Drucker. But this is Eden Dambrine's film.

Thirteen year old "Léo" (Eden Dambrine) and his schoolfriend "Rémi" (Gustav De Waele) are inseparable. The play together, eat together, sleep together - an ideal fraternal relationship. At school, though, their classmates start to make disparaging remarks about them, and the naturally more gregarious "Léo" begins to shun his friend a little, then a little more... Tragedy ensues after "Rémi" doesn't show up for a school trip and the repercussions hit the young "Léo" and "Sophie" (Émilie Dequenne) - the mother of his friend - especially hard. On one level this film is about cruelty. Not a deliberate, malevolent style of cruelty - but one of indifference, of ignorance - a bully's sort of cruelty. On another it is a story of love, loyalty - betrayal even. It is an highly emotional film with two excellent performances from the young boys conveying their respective responses to a bewildering array of suspicion and judgements being thrust their way by those who knew no better - but should have. It's about parenting, about openness and about how people deal with tragedy in their own, personal way - and it is very effective. It really does leave a lump in your throat afterwards. Well worth a watch.

Close is a masterfully crafted look at the changing adoration shared between two adolescent boys. It is a skillfully written and directed by Lukas Dhont, who breaks the films into a classic three part narrative. Each chapter progresses though summer, fall, winter and then spring again and each depicts a new phase of the boys friendship. These changes are told with great effect and provoke emotions in the viewer ranging from joyful satisfaction and warm comfort to betrayed anger and even grief.

Close is set in the seemingly bucolic Belgian country side. And the film-makers take full advantage of the beautiful but labor intensive flower farm our one lead is growing up surrounded by. It is here amidst the farm's blossoming glory we are introduced to the indelible adolescence friendship of Léo and Rémi. For the first third of the film the two are inseparable. Rémi who lives on the same road to town spends his days at the farm and Léo then stays over at Rémi's most nights. Both are not yet burdened with chores of the rural life. So they get to idle away the rest of their last summer before secondary school in play and hi-jinx. Clearly this is how the friendship has been for a long while. And in that moment both would swear nothing could ever divide them.

The inseparable boys share a closeness that they manifest in a tactile intimacy with each other. This tenderness is nurtured by both families and particular by Rémi's Mother, a maternity ward nurse, who also likes to cuddle warmly with the boys. As an audience we observe the tender support and devotion each offers one and other with natural questioning of their sexuality. We, at the Directors leading, begin to wonder if at least one of the boys feels more than just platonic love for the other. To be clear the film presents almost no spoken homophobia from its many secondary characters to this possibility. The film is clearly set in present day Belgium. So much so even the main sport depicted in the film is hockey. So when at the end of summer the two are still inseparable amongst their new classmates. The fellow students although immature respond mostly with curiosity or disinterest to this possibility. But as the film's setting shifts fully into the classrooms and court yard of a new larger secondary school, some adolescent bullying and unwanted attention increases. The boys begin to question if new personal boundaries are being laid out. Sadly this effects one boy more than the other but both must deal with the consequences.

As you might imagine for a film like this to succeed the two actors playing Léo and Rémi, need to be thoughtfully cast and very talented. And Eden Dambrine who plays the thoughtful Léo and Gustav De Waele who portrays the talented Rémi do so with skill beyond their years. Their performances are without truly fault. But some might find Léo's cold unemotional response to the third act hardships as disconnected from the warm Léo we've been introduced too. This can be explained by the circumstances. But when the suppressed emotions are final dealt with in a wonderfully written climatic scene, one almost feels the response is just a little off the mark. And this is only notable because you do spend most of the third act waiting for this moment.

Close is well deserving of the critical praise it is receiving at top European festivals. And like the film's plot which moves us from one season to the next it will be interesting to see if the film can find as much praise in an english theater market.

I do want to end on a small spoiler. This film does not end in a feel good moment but rather one that is as harsh and honest as the rest of the third act. It deals with real complex subject matter and young viewers should be prepared for truly sad story shifts.

I've seen literally thousands of films and I have to say that "Close" ranks as one of the finest I've seen. As someone who had a very close friend who rejected me simply for who I am when I was younger, this film brought that experience so much more into focus for me that I openly wept throughout most of the last half of its running time. As a result, I found myself having a hard time forgiving the character of Leo as the film progressed, but eventually I felt I had no choice.

The performances and the chemistry between the two leads who play the main characters are so real and natural that at times I forgot I was watching a scripted and directed film rather than a documentary. I found the same true-to-life characterizations in Lukas Dhont's earlier film "Girl." He's clearly a very gifted director, and I would love to watch this man direct actors to understand how he's able to pull such amazing performances from them.

The film is also beautifully photographed, much of it taking place in the French countryside.

"Close" is reportedly going to be nominated for an Oscar here in the U. S., and I hope that helps it get the wide exposure to audiences it so richly deserves. The message in this superb, heartbreaking film is that friendships are so much more important than we actually realize and that as males, the toxic masculinity we encourage among ourselves can ruin lives.

Wow!. I'm glad I didn't know what this film was about, before watching it. The only thing I knew beforehand, is that it was about the close friendship between two young boys. I recommend watching this film with little to no knowledge of what happens, but make sure you have plenty of tissues ready to use. The acting performances of everyone in the movie is top shelf, but the two lead actors are truly exceptional, especially the lead actor "Eden Dambrine".

It's been a long time since a film has had such a BIG and profoundly deep impact on myself. It touched a part of my heart I had completely forgotten about, from my own childhood. I suspect many people will have a similar reaction. I'll be thinking about this movie for weeks to come and look forward to buying it on Blu-ray disc, when it is released. This brilliant movie has earnt a place in my top ten desert island collection of best movies ever. I can't recommend this movie enough - if you have a Heart, watch it. Highschool kids should watch this movie and discuss it afterwards.

CLOSE is a story of pubescent friendship in the 21st Century. Two boys are inseparable. They spend their days and nights together, running, cycling, and playing video games. Remi is artistic. He draws and plays the oboe. Leo is athletic. He plays ice hockey. They have fun together and have frequent sleepovers. When they are put in the same class at school, their closeness is noticed by their fellow pubescent classmates, who ask them if they're "a couple." And thus begins a dramatic change in the boys' friendship. This is a very sensitive film with fine naturalistic performances by a cast that makes it seem at times that we're watching a documentary. Especially impressive are child actor Eden Dambrine as Leo and Emile Dequenne as Remi's mother. It's an odd film in that a lot of details, as far as the events are concerned, are missing. There are a lot of unanswered questions. But the emotions are vivid and extremely detailed. This is a sad yet provocative film that is well worth seeing.

Normally I don't go to this kind of flicks but it has been said that this Belgian entry for the Oscars could win. So on a rainy night in a foreign city I went to see it at a very small venue.

The title says exactly what you get. A story about two teenage friends getting close somehow in their friendship and people do ask themselve if they are in love. But not only that is close. The way it was shot also brings you close to the characters.

I can tell without spoiling that at the end of this flick I heard a lot of crying at the venue. Why? Because most people do recognise thelselve in the storyline.

Excellent performances by the teenagers knowing that they weren't actors at all.

Okay, I agrre, Belgium is on the road for an Oscar.

Gore 0/5 Nudity 0/5 Effects 0/5 Story 3,5/5 Comedy 0/5.

I've been wanting to watch this movie for a while, but never really got around to it until recently. Having heard nothing but good things I went into this movie with high hopes but came out of it with disappointment.

The first half of this movie was wonderful, sweet, and the emotions felt so real and so recognizable for many of those who have had a friendship like this. The Characters were likeable and there situation is one that many boys go through while growing up.

The issue I have with this film is the pacing and the believability. I kind of had a feeling I knew what the twist was going to be, But it happened SO fast and SO early on that it didn't really leave me that distraught or upset. I literally looked at the time left and was like "Really... so soon". The other issue was I just didn't feel like enough had happened between Leo and Remy yet to warrant the twist. I felt like there could have been a lot more explored that led to the twist, but it just rushed so quick to get there.

With so few movies really exploring this theme I still recommend this movie for those who have gone through this type of situation before, but I cant say I think its a great movie with great pacing/writing. The movie is beautiful, but the story/plot has alot to be desired.

I saw this at the NZIFF, it was a very well presented movie.

The changes from wide open fields of flowers and freedom for two young boys, to the drabness of a classroom and the sterile colours of an ice hockey rink.

Sound design was on point as well.

All of this was able to show the different worlds the characters inhabit

The main story hits some real emotional notes, some that hit very close to home for me. It doesn't pull it's punches.

The two lead boys, both are amazing, for boys so young to give such great performances. The adults do really well, especially Remis mother.

The emotions that the actors could portray, even without saying anything were extraordinary.

I don't know where to start and if words can express my feelings! Being born a gay teenager and in an Arab country that persecutes homosexuals, this movie was hurtful to me and I cried nonstop because this is true and this is what many persecuted gays feel in society, especially the eastern society, where you are afraid to reveal your inclinations only. Or that you open your feelings or that one day society sees your true identity that there will be a percentage that you will be eliminated just because you are gay. I loved my classmate at school, I loved him very much, but I did not dare to reveal my love to him for fear of society and his reaction, but I knew that he had feelings for me, but I refused to confess my feelings to him. , and now I really regret not telling him because I miss him so much. It's been 4 years and I haven't seen him. I hope that one day homophobia will end in the Middle East and that everyone will be free and proudly reveal their sexual orientation. The movie was great and better than what I've seen, but don't forget to put tissues next to you.

The bright summer light. The rich colours of flower fields. A boys close friendship, ever so intimate, so innocent, so beautiful.

Attending secondary school it's confronted by the ugliness of social pressure and prejudice. One of the boys feels so distraught by this pressure, that in the resulting process of estrangement the friendship breaks, with devastating consequences. As a result one of the boys has to deal with his fear, his guilt and his desperation.

It's as distressing for the viewer than it is for the boys. I have never seen before children actors playing with such authenticity and heart breaking emotionality. An astonishing experience, intense direction and photography , beautiful music. Strongly recommended!

I'll tread lightly so as to avoid spoilers. There's a marked shift partway through 'Close (2022)' that moves its focus away from exploring a specific form of toxic masculinity and onto a much more typical examination of grief. It essentially throws away its unique theming in favour of some far less interesting stuff. Worse still, it doesn't even deal with that stuff particularly well, ultimately finishing before it can quite make its point. Some of it is pretty problematic, primarily because it backgrounds a certain character and therefore seems to imply that their most important decision stems entirely from the one thing we know about them. Even if this is accidental, it certainly makes the movie's handling of its heavy subject matter that much more clumsy, as does the fact that this element feels principally designed to shock and to make you feel bad for the protagonist rather than the person who it arguably impacts the most (again, I'm being vague to avoid spoilers). Basically, one of the core characters is rendered as nothing more than a plot device. In any case, the back half of the experience wears thin before it's over, opting to revel in its misery rather than tangibly develop its characters. Of course, it does feature some subtle character work and its subtlety is kind of the point, but it doesn't go as deep as it ought to and misses several opportunities to tie everything together. There comes a point where you realise that the piece is designed to make you cry. Its story is undeniably sad and there are a handful of affecting moments, but its emotionality sometimes feels forced and never quite hits home as hard as it should - even when it's at its most genuine. When it finishes, you're just left unfulfilled. Perhaps that's the intended effect, but the ending doesn't feel designed to leave you in the lurch; it seems to think it has tied everything together just enough to have made some sort of statement (which it doesn't manage to do in a meaningful way). Despite all of its problems, though, it's important to remember the film's strong first half. It achieves a marked sense of naturalism (which, to be fair, carries on throughout the entire experience), both through its earthy yet colourful cinematography and its revelatory performances. The two leads turn in perhaps some of the best performances I've seen from someone in their age bracket, totally inhabiting their innocent and introverted characters while saying far more with their eyes than with their voices. The screenplay touches on genuinely intriguing themes and develops its somewhat unconventional relationships incredibly believably. It reaches a subdued level of real-life tragedy that maybe hits even harder than the arguably exaggerated, though certainly realistic, calamity that resonates throughout the back half. It really feels as though it's going to be something special, and even as it moves past its midway point it appears to be going strong. However, it starts to run out of steam and its ending inspires the retrospection which leads to the overall affair souring in your mind. The more I think about it, the less I like it. I have to give credit to its stellar opening movement (and even some moments that arrive later on), but this is ultimately rather disappointing.

You're inseparable and enjoy your time together, you're best friends and will remain so, always forever, but as you start a new school year, there are those who joke and stare, as if there's more to being friends, that gives you pleasure. So you create a bit of distance to get space, but now your friend has got the feeling he's displaced, he's upset and quite distressed, feels let down and cast adrift, it takes you to a place, no teenage boy (or girl or non-binary) should face.

Great performances in a challenging piece of film that may get you thinking of how you behaved when you were that age and whether the events portrayed relate.

This movie is the definition of an absolute nosedive. It's perfect for the first half. It's very slice of life, so immersive that you can almost feel the late summer heat. The interactions between the boys are so natural and innocent. Then it completely slams the breaks on with, in my opinion, a completely unwarranted plot twist. It made this movie feel like a waste to me. I wanted it to explore these complex feels. What it feels like to love your friend and how painful it can be. It touched on that but then decided to completely capsize itself.

The whole second act felt like "oh no we have a whole half of a movie left and we have destroyed our storyline...hmm shove more hockey scenes in". Then after we meander through the second act, it has absolutely no resolution, nothing really changes from when we find out the twist till the movie ends. That's like 50+ minutes. The movie ended and I was like huh???

I sound like I didn't enjoy it but I actually loved so much about it. I think that's why I'm so sad by the second half. Even the build up to the twist was so so good. I felt like I was sat in that bus waiting to be told the news. It was so good! But then nothing.

The colours in this movie are absolutely stunning. It's a treat to look at. And the performances are so natural.

I just wish there was a little bit more resolution and we could have spent more time within the conflict and understood their feeling. Because the second plot thread came out of absolutely no where for me.

I do not share all the positive comments on this movie. Yes, 'Close' is not a bad movie. I did like it a lot more than 'Girl', also a picture of Lukas Dhont. But Close could and should have been a lot better.

The character drawing of the parents leaves much to be desired. I am so much more touched when I see the movies of the brothers Dardenne, the best directors of Belgium. For example 'Tori et Lokita', the latest movie of the brothers Dardenne, is so much better than 'Close'. No, not an Oscar winning movie for me... And the storytelling is not good enough for me.

I hope that the next movie of Lukas Dhont will be more mature and elaborated.

I know I'm going to catch hell for this (and probably be accused of having ice water coursing through my veins), but, when it comes to writer-director Lukas Dhont's Oscar-nominated second feature, I'm just not buying it. This overwrought, overhyped drama (and I do mean drama) explores what happens when an arguably vague schism occurs in the extremely (and I do mean extremely) close friendship between two teenage boys who bring wholly new meaning to the term "BFF." I'm supposing the ambiguity of their intimate, though supposedly "platonic" relationship has been deliberately incorporated here to add another level of nuanced depth to the ostensibly thin narrative, but, considering how this overlong, needlessly stretched-out story unfolds, constant watch checking is not to be unexpected, no matter how serenely beautiful the cinematography is. It's indeed disappointing to me how many other fine international film candidates were overlooked in the process of showering this offering with undeserved praise. "Dhont" say you weren't warned.

Lukas Dhont is the name of one of Europe's most promising filmmakers, a director whose aesthetic goes right back to European classicists filmmakers such as Erik Rohmer. In Dhont's second feature, entitled Close, almost every strand of narrative is told through more or less disjointed scenes and segments, and every emotion and character development is implicit, often undercommunicated. The story is about two young friends from the Belgian countryside, Léo and Rémi, whose tightknit bond reaches a zenith the summer before they start secondary school. With new classes forming and hormones flowing, their special relationship is tested by means of peer pressure, conventions, and Léo's need for redefining himself and widening his horizons. This forces their pure, undefined love towards a definition that none of them have the maturity to outline.

Dhont had already made a name for himself with Girl in 2018, and his follow-up is equally hard-hitting, albeit arguably less obviously so. In Close, nothing is told or tackled head-on, instead we the audience is left with the task of deciphering and defining every single development. This is a form of moviemaking that had seemingly gone out of fashion in the post-streaming era, but which Dhont revitalizes emphatically here. His camerawork and patience with his actors is such that you become one with the characters. When his camera lingers on young Eden Dambrine as Léo, you're invited to a fusion between viewer and character; you become this young man and live out his predicament. If there ever was pure filmmaking, this is it. Which is why you also accept the small droplets of emotional manipulation that inevitably infuse the final part of the film.

Dhont's work is visually and narratively remarkable. But his most impressive feat with Close is how he has extracted masterclass performances out of his two inexperienced lead actors. The first third of the picture has a timelessness to it which is reminiscent of the Nouvelle Vague. And after the film's turning point, Eden Dambrine's expressive but understated face carries the story almost in a Brandoesque manner. His Léo is one of the best child performances in decades, and certainly on this side of the millennium, making Close a coming-of-age film for the ages.