Close is written and directed by Lucas Dhont of which he co-wrote with Angelo Tijssens. As Belgium filmmakers, they made their first big splash with Girl in 2018.
One of the most thrilling occurrences in life is when connections and coincidences happen, as in the recent Scott Galloway column in which he made the case for physical affection, and my attending Close at Burns Court the very next day. Close also makes the case for physical affection as the two main characters, middle school age boys, struggle with their initiation into a more adult world of masculinity. My blog may seem somewhat stilted, but that’s only to preserve my no spoiler promise.
The movie has been nominated for Best Foreign film and since it’s the only one I’ve seen, an obvious problem arises for me to assess whether Close could be ‘the best’. I have a hunch it’s scope is too small to win since it’s up against two very large scale war and political films, but I do know it’s easy to make a case for Close’s nomination.
First, all of the actors were stunning. Eden Dambrine plays the lead and is a wonder of repression acting. He surely has a future in cinema as does his co-star Gustav De Waele who had the more expressive emoting role to accomplish. The two mothers played by Emilie Dequenne, two time Cannes winner and Lea Drucker were also outstanding. The fathers and other son were very believable as well.
Second, the story telling is impeccable. Close seems to take place in real time, meaning Dhont and Tijssens give us a literal close up of the boys relationship. Slowly we move to the school year and conflicts which ever slowly arise. Scenes and relationships have plenty of breathing room, something that hyperactive movies like Everything, Everywhere, all at Once and Glass Onion can’t be bothered with doing, yet get more public group think praise.
Finally, foreshadowing is undetectable until you’re at the end and go ‘aha, now I see’.
So bravo to the filmmakers, actors and for Scott Galloway for nudging American males about the crucial need for physical closeness.
Close in Real Time
