Film Review: Close to You

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Nova Scotia born actor Elliot Page returns to the big screen with the highly personal feature Close to You. The trans Oscar nominee co-wrote the screenplay along with British filmmaker Dominic Savage. The movie is set in Toronto and Cobourg, Ontario. It includes an array of premiere Canadian talent including Peter Outerbridge, Daniel Maslany (brother of Orphan Black star Tatiana), and the always stellar performance of Wendy Crewson (continuing the tradition of every movie shot in the great white north featuring either Crewson or Don McKellar in the cast).

Close to You follows lead character Sam (Page), a trans man who lives in Toronto with his roommate Emily (played by former Much Music VJ Sook-Yin Lee). Post transition and after an absence of about four years of estrangement from his family Sam decides to hop on a VIA Rail train and journey out to the Ontario suburbs in order to attend his father’s birthday celebration, reconnect, and perhaps reconcile with past.  

This low budget indie film is tensely wound and wrought with emotion which is exemplified by the fact that the majority of the dialogue was reportedly improvised by the actors during filming. An unmistakable quality of nostalgia and melancholy envelopes Sam as he tries to come to terms with shifting family dynamics and find a place for himself in a familiar yet foreign world he no longer feels welcome in.  The entire dynamic of adult siblings and their partners socializing with their aging parents is in itself an emotionally fraught situation complete with complex emotions, regrets, and a pining for what was or could have been. At any age the same fact of life is true- family is complicated.

Wendy Crewson (Miriam) is brilliant as usual as a mother who just wants to peacefully celebrate her husband’s birthday surrounded by her children, their spouses, and a warm inviting atmosphere absent conflict, negativity, and sadness. Although initially she misgenders her trans son shortly thereafter Miriam asks him if he’s happy in his new life. He replies, “Just waking up and feeling like you’re a person that can function. So that’s how I’m feeling and it feels really good.”

The personal interactions between Sam, his siblings, and their mates fluctuates from sweet and supportive to contentious and confrontational. In one particularly poignant conversation between Sam and one of his sisters Sam notes, “You weren’t worrying about me when I actually not OK. When I was the most unwell nobody fucking worried.” It’s clear that Sam’s back story is painful and still raw. The younger female version of Sam obviously didn’t feel seen or valued. His physical transformation is a turning point in his life when he can at long last be true to himself and begin living an authentic life. 

Much of the film is shot in a cinéma verité style thus adding to the overall emotional realism which punctuates the entire film. The small town ambiance seems to be saturated by sadness, despair, and desperation (at least from Sam’s point of view). The quaint setting both in the family home and on the suburban streets is dark and dreary. In this atmosphere Sam is photographed like a caged animal, desperate to escape and return to the freedom of his big city home. 

The one major element of Close to You that most viewers probably won’t be expecting is the tender story of lost love at the core of the narrative. It begins on the train enroute to his father’s birthday when Sam expectantly encounters Katherine (played by Hillary Baack), a woman who had been a good friend in school (pre transition). The isolation and sadness permeating Sam’s existence is further reinforced by his longing and deep-rooted feelings for Katherine (who is now married with kids). Their relationship isn’t merely about reconnecting with the past or rekindling lost passion but rather acceptance, mutual respect, and yes even love.

Rarely do filmgoers have the opportunity to witness a story of female to male transition in all its emotional and physical complexity. Close to You provides viewers with a look behind the curtain at a flesh and blood representation of the bravery and day to day realities that come with making this life changing decision and all the repercussions that come with it. Close to You is a film that demonstrates how the personal really is political; especially when it involves you or someone that you love.