"Close to You" is an emotive film that showcases two common narrative threads -the small-town individual searching for themselves either through departure or return. In this film, the latter is explored through the eyes of a trans man, Sam, portrayed by Elliot Page in his first leading role as a trans man. Sam forms the heart of Dominic Savage's story, a tale co-written with Page, which revolves around a trans man's visit to his family after a four year absence.
The film does not shy away from the raw, unrefined emotions and scenarios that arise in such situations. It strips away the layers to show a less-curated portrayal of unfolding events. Sam's journey wants to make the audience feel -and sometimes it is painful, and it is meant to be.
Sam's family display an array of reactions: his father Jim (Peter Outerbridge) is thrilled to see him and is surprisingly supportive. His mother, however, struggles with guilt for having failed her son. Sam's siblings show their support, albeit sometimes misguided or overcompensated. The tensions are further escalated by Sam's brother-in-law Paul (David Reale), who poses as open-minded but comes off as resentful.
Paul's interactions with Sam expose the uncomfortable reality that he represents; the so-called 'odd one out' in a world unwilling to adjust to him. Sam seeks nothing more than to be recognised as a fellow human, worthy of respect and dignity without needing constant explanation or justification.
An additional narrative arc sees Sam run into an old high school flame, Katherine (Hillary Baack). She is now married with children, which causes a spike in her conflicting emotions -a relationship that turns out to be less well-crafted.
Despite some shortcomings, such as a reliance on close-ups and less carefully crafted scenes, "Close to You" offers an unfiltered look at a rarely-exposed side of humanity. It has roots in compassion and sensitivity and handles its subject matter with integrity, championing social evolution and showcasing the ever-transitioning facets of human nature.
