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Close to LeoRating:
Release Date: 22 June, 2004 Retail Price: $29.95 OUR Price: $26.99 You SAVE: $2.96! Cast: |
Close to Leo Reviews
Ackwardly Intimate, Slow-Moving, Art-House Film
This is an interesting film, very well done. Good direction, great acting and an ackward storyline. All pieces somehow come together on the screen.
One of the things I liked most about the film, is that we were two-thirds of the way along before the subject of "sexuality" was raised. Therefore leaving the viewer to form a relationship with Leo, the 21 year old lead in the film, who in a very early scene announces to his family he is HIV Positive. He actually refers to having AIDS.
His family (mother, father and 2 brothers around Leo's age) determine it is best to keep his illness a secret from his youngest brother Marcel, age 12. Unbeknownst to the family, Marcel overhears the family discussing Leo's illness.
The next part of the movie is at times slow moving, and a little "off". Several scenes lead the viewer to wonder exactly what the next scene will entail. In general, it is these scenes that are the basis for each family member dealing with the startling news.
The final 30 minutes is the best part of film in many respects. Doctors determine Leo's medical needs, and upon learning this, he embarks on a journey with his younger brother Marcel to Paris. Here they bond, and meet a siginificant player in Leo's life. They also come to terms with Leo's status as he shares this and other personal matters with Marcel.
I found some of the scenes to be ackwardly intimate. However, this is a French film. And brothers who share close bonds and show affection towards one another is "normal".
This is one of the few movies made in the 2000's (that I have seen) that deals head-on with AIDS, and how the diseases can still have devastating effects on family and loved ones.
Just for the record, the film is in French with English subtitles.
Closer and closer
Written and Directed by Christopher Honore, Close to Leo, tells the story of Leo (Pierre Mignard) who tells his parents and younger brothers one night, at dinner, that he is HIV positive. The family decides it best to not tell the youngest brother Marcel (Yannis Lespert) because he is only 12 and would not comphehend the situation. What develops is a trip for both Leo and Marcel that takes them to Paris and binds them even closer.
This movie is well written and well acted. The interworkings of the family is exposed after Leo reveals his status; and the director takes his time to explore the change that comes over each character. Mignard is excellent in playing Leo, a strong young man coming to terms with his own mortality, yet still trying to be brave for his parents and brothers. Lespert is impressive in his performance as a smart, strong willed 12 year old that is struggling to comes to terms with his brother's condition. The vulnerbility of Leo and Marcel is incredibly real; not to mention the grief and worry portrayed by Leo's family is so genuine you feel like a member of the family. This movie is heavy, but well worth the exposure to have many human emotions stirred up to the point of real empathy.
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