Close (2022) Movie Review
Close comes from writer and director Lukas Dhont who made a splash with his feature film debut Girl (2018). Dhont follows this up with a compelling story about two thirteen-year-old boys’ friendship. The beginning of the movie shows the boys playing make believe together. They have wild imaginations and carry sticks for swords as they defend the “castle.” Léo (Eden Dambrine) often stays the night at Rémi’s (Gustav de Waele) house and it’s clear from the beginning they have a very intense connection.
At school, other kids begin to take notice of their friendship, even asking at one point if they’re dating. Léo actively denies it but when the whispers and rumor mill persists, he begins to distance himself from Rémi. He starts hanging around with other boys who play soccer and video games. He joins an ice hockey team and becomes friends with a few of the boys on the team. A confrontation at home between the two friends followed by another larger confrontation at school leads to tragedy for the boys’ friendship.
Close deals with heavy topics but Dhont carefully constructs the storyline to make the biggest impact. Dambrine, a newcomer to film, proves to be a powerhouse conveying a wide range of emotions often without using words. Dhont must have realized he had a star on his hands (it was reported that he saw Dambrine on a train and offered him the role) and uses many close-ups of Dambrine’s face. The camera studies him intensely as he works out how he feels or how he should feel about his friend and later on about the tragic event that occurs. Gustav de Waele has less screen time but also packs a powerful punch as a young boy trying to navigate a tough world. It’s difficult to avoid crying when he unleashes real tears as he battles himself, the world, and even his friend.
The overarching themes are intricate with many layers. At the core is the prejudice around being gay that is present no matter what age you are. Léo is so afraid of being labeled as gay that he distances himself from his best friend to avoid any sort of misconception. Of course, this can be extended to include being different in any way, especially in the school yard as young kids. The pressure to fit in, have friends, and be accepted by your peers can be crushing for young people and adults alike.
The other element Dhont portrays, albeit a bit more subtly, is an examination of the performance of masculinity. Léo and Rémi are very physically close. They’re often spooning each other or laying with limbs entangled at school. They’re gentle with each other in a way that feels intimate and loving. When Léo begins distancing himself from his friend, he starts engaging in more traditional displays of masculinity. He hits people in ice hockey and focuses more on physicality, even playing soccer at school instead of sitting on the sidelines chatting. He plays video games with his new friends and although he doesn’t actually understand the point of the game he’s playing, he still longs to do what everyone else is doing.
At its core, the movie is simple enough. But Dhont infuses it with layers of insights and Dambrine and de Waele’s performances elevate the film’s messages. Close is a well crafted exploration of adolescence and the damage that can be done when the world doesn’t feel accepting.
You’ll like this movie if:
1. You like stories about childhood
2. You like themes of masculinity, belonging, and being different
3. You need a good cry
