Close

Close is a delicate exploration of friendship that grapples with the pressures of adolescence. While it aims high with its emotional weight, it sometimes stumbles under the expectations it sets for itself.

A Friendship Tested

The film follows Léo and Rémi, two 13-year-old boys who enjoy a carefree summer and an intense bond. Their friendship is playful and genuine, filled with laughter and shared experiences. However, this idyllic connection faces harsh scrutiny when schoolmates begin to speculate about their relationship. As rumors swirl and pressure mounts, the boys struggle to navigate their identities and the societal expectations that come with them, leading to a heart-wrenching exploration of friendship and loss. The narrative ultimately challenges toxic masculinity and highlights the fragility of youthful connections.

Performances That Connect

Eden Dambrine and Gustav De Waele deliver heartfelt performances as Léo and Rémi, capturing the innocence and complexity of their friendship. Their chemistry feels authentic, drawing viewers into their world. However, some supporting characters, like Sophie (Émilie Dequenne), are underdeveloped and fail to add depth to the story. The film would have benefited from more fleshed-out roles that could have added layers to the central relationship. The characters' emotional arcs occasionally feel rushed, leaving audiences wanting more insight into their struggles.

A Gentle Visual Approach

Lukas Dhont’s direction is marked by a subtle and sensitive approach, though sometimes it lingers a bit too long on certain scenes, which disrupts the pacing. The cinematography effectively captures the beauty of the boys' surroundings, complementing their emotional journey. However, the visual storytelling occasionally feels over-reliant on wide shots that, while visually appealing, can detract from the intimacy of the characters’ experiences. A more varied shot selection could have enhanced the emotional stakes and kept the audience more engaged throughout.

Heavy Moments and Slow Pacing

Watching Close is a mixed emotional experience; while it has its poignant moments, there are stretches where the pacing drags, making it difficult to stay fully invested. The film successfully elicits feelings of nostalgia and heartbreak, but some scenes feel excessively drawn out, risking viewer disengagement. The emotional weight is certainly there, but it sometimes feels heavy-handed, leading to a few moments of frustration. By the end, the audience is left with a sense of catharsis but also a lingering unease about the unresolved issues faced by the characters.