Close to You

2023

Action / Comedy / Crime / Drama

7
Rotten Tomatoes Critics - Rotten 45% · 61 reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Audience - Spilled 45% · 50 ratings
IMDb Rating 5.2/10 10 1485 1.5K

lgbt transgender

Plot summary

A trans man returns to his hometown for the first time in years. On his journey, he confronts his relationship with his family, reunites with a first love, and discovers a newfound confidence in himself.

Director

Dominic Savage Photo
Dominic Savage

Top cast

Ellen Page Photo
Ellen Page as Sam
Peter Outerbridge Photo
Peter Outerbridge as Jim
Wendy Crewson Photo
Wendy Crewson as Miriam
Daniel Maslany Photo
Daniel Maslany as Michael
720p.WEB 1080p.WEB
907.05 MB
1280*536
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
24 fps
1 hr 38 min
Seeds 2
1.64 GB
1920*804
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
24 fps
1 hr 38 min
Seeds 3

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by Lolarobot 5 / 10

Close, but not quite there. I tried. A failed opportunity with an amazing actor

I really wanted to like Close to You, especially given the talent involved, including Elliot Page, but unfortunately, the film left me feeling underwhelmed. While it has some strong individual elements, they never quite come together to form a compelling, cohesive narrative.The cinematography is beautiful, and the camera work captures the intimate moments well. The music also stands out-calming, evocative, and a perfect complement to the film's quieter, introspective moments. It's clear the filmmakers put a lot of effort into the aesthetics and atmosphere, and I appreciated that.As for the performances, Elliot Page delivers a solid portrayal of their character, and many of the actors did their best with the material. The characters themselves are generally likable, but I never felt fully invested in their arcs. The writing, unfortunately, feels lackluster. The dialogue doesn't engage the audience or create the emotional depth needed to elevate the story. It's not that the film is overly slow, but it lacks a strong narrative drive. I can appreciate a slower-paced movie, but the plot here is sparse, and the film doesn't provide enough stakes or development to keep things interesting.The movie revolves around the protagonist returning home, reconnecting with family, and re-engaging with an old girlfriend. But the family dynamic-while realistic-feels disjointed and drawn-out. For a good portion of the film, we watch the protagonist's family argue and struggle with unresolved issues, and I couldn't help but feel that these sequences dragged on unnecessarily. The family drama is there for a reason, but I found myself wishing the film had focused more on the central relationship, especially the connection with the old girlfriend. I would have preferred a more focused plot, where the protagonist attends some kind of reunion or gathering that leads to rekindling a romance. The family conflict could have been trimmed down or explored in a more meaningful way.I understand that this film touches on themes of identity, acceptance, and the complexities of family dynamics, particularly around transgender issues. However, I feel the movie relies too heavily on the tension of the protagonist's identity and the discomfort it causes among family members. We've seen these types of conflicts before, and while they are important and real, they can feel repetitive if not handled in an innovative or engaging way. At some point, I wanted to see more of the protagonist's life beyond the familial drama-more exploration of love, relationships, and self-discovery, without always focusing on the external conflict of transphobia or familial rejection. It's a vital part of the narrative, but I think we need to move beyond these plot points and engage with the characters as complex, multifaceted individuals, not just as symbols of societal issues.In the end, Close to You feels like it's stuck between wanting to be a deeply personal story about love and identity, and a more conventional family drama. But it doesn't fully commit to either. The movie lacks the narrative depth and emotional resonance needed to make it truly impactful. It's a shame because the potential was there-the performances, the direction, and the music all had promise-but the script and structure fail to tie everything together in a way that feels satisfying.Ultimately, I think this film missed an opportunity to create something truly special. If it had focused more on the relationship dynamics and less on the drawn-out family conflict, it could have been a much stronger, more engaging story. As it stands, Close to You feels like a missed chance to tell a richer, more engaging narrative about love, identity, and human connection.
Reviewed by phenomenalmother 4 / 10

Extremely Disappointed

Reviewed by ecdenlinger 10 / 10

Far better than its rating

This film's rating has been sunk by transphobes. If you are a reasonable person, don't let them put you off. It's a fine portrait of a painful family situation, with a lovely romantic twist that leaves the ending full of promise.The dialogue needed sharpening -- e.g., we hear Sam tell his family twice how much he likes his job, but we don't know what he does; and there's a little too much wistful cinematography; but the performances are strong, and Elliot Page and Hillary Baacke are outstanding. It comes together in a surprisingly satisfying way. I want to see Elliot Page team up with Patricia Rozema on his next film! That would be a lot of fun.
Read more IMDb reviews

6 Comments

Be the first to leave a comment