Closet Monster.
Such a quiet, sweet coming-of-age/coming-out story without the sappy, saccharine, in-your-face politics of so many films that deal with a similar subject matter. Saw this months ago at TIFF, but upon watching it again on my own, in my own home, there’s a renewed urgency and intimate beauty to this story that wasn’t present to me in a theatre. I’d recommend watching it on your own; it’s such a introspective, almost dreamy narrative.
The touch of surrealism/magic can be a tad intrusive with its symbolism, but Isabella Rossellini as the voice of a pet hamster is just too adorable even for my cold cold cold heart. And it’s really that touch of the last remaining innocence and wonderment of childhood that Oscar, an even more adorable and gorgeous, sensitive soul portrayed so effortlessly relatable by Connor Jessup, that gives the film, the story this warm, charming intimate ray of light. His crush is the equally gorgeous Wilder, played by Aliocha Schneider: These two look like a perfect edit in L’UOMO, or a stunning Prada campaign— when Prada campaigns were stunning. It’s a hopeful story that doesn’t end with a happily-ever-after cliche—nor does it end on a dark downer. It ends with the lead making the best of what he’s been offered in this life.
His mum’s words to him before he leaves his quiet, sleepy town were “...that he’s always had a difficult life since he was born. And that it may just not get easier nor better, but that’s just life”— or something along those lines. And that’s something I’m reminded of a lot these days. And oddly, there’s such a sense of contentment to that acceptance.
I adore this little film.
