"Close tells a story of specificity and universality with extraordinary nuance and originality. Through the lens of an adolescent relationship and tragedy, the film offers depth and accuracy in its exploration of potential first love, which as a child can't quite be articulated, and the pressure at a young age to conform to peer group expectations of masculinity or face homophobia amidst a more conservative academic culture. Lukas Dhont beautifully juxtaposes a free and sensitive friendship with the suppression of emerging identities, and depicts the consequences of such conformity. As a production, CLOSE is a superbly directed, well shot film with strong performances, particularly from young actor Eden Dambrine, who movingly navigates the film's themes of innocence lost and childhood grief."
