Close to you – REVIEW - Price Prediction

As a seasoned movie-goer who has navigated the labyrinth of family dramas, I must confess that ‘Close to You’ felt like a familiar dance with a new partner. The film masterfully captures the awkwardness and tension of a family gathering, and it’s clear that the cast has poured their heart into their performances.

In some families, there are those tense meals where hidden grudges and prejudices often bubble up. It’s no wonder these domestic disagreements during dinner have been a recurring theme in dramas for ages, and the latest is ‘Close to you‘, featuring Elliot Page as Sam. After transitioning, Sam now rents a room in Toronto, but his father’s birthday brings him back home after four years. Now, he confronts the possibility of being rejected by the small town again, despite finding acceptance in the city.

On his journey home, he runs into an old classmate named Katherine (Hilary Baack) from high school, and they reminisce about a past romantic interest. However, Katherine is married with children, and any hints of rekindled romance are abruptly put out as soon as they arrive in their hometown – or so it initially appears.

At the family birthday gathering, Sam’s father warmly greets him as his son. However, his mother continues to feel remorseful about not being more supportive of Sam and expresses this indirectly through passive-aggressive conversations with her siblings. A brother-in-law, trying to empathize but ultimately agitating Sam, adds fuel to the situation. Although it’s reasonable for Sam to ask his family to let him live as any other person, the family’s sympathetic response quickly dissipates when his mother shares that for her, being a family is paramount – a sentiment common in her generation. Yet, Sam’s outburst in reaction makes him seem less sympathetic. This intense moment is the highlight of the movie.

The dynamic within this family is interspersed with Sam’s attempts to reconcile with Katherine, and these scenes appear less impactful. This might be due to the film’s improvisational nature, giving it a sense of an acting workshop. John Page, who portrays Sam, handles this effectively, drawing on his personal experiences. However, other cast members exhibit varying levels of success in carrying this style.

Filmed using a handheld camera and authentic lighting, the movie titled ‘Close to You’ presents itself as a collection of intimate one-on-one scenes. However, it stretches beyond the ideal length, giving an impression, despite its good intentions, that it might be more about personal expression rather than a heartfelt narrative – perhaps leaning towards a self-indulgent production.

Here’s the Close to you trailer….

2024-08-29 02:23

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