Falcon Lake

Falcon Lake is an interesting directorial debut that explores a boy's experience of first love on a summer holiday. The story is very atmospheric, taking place around a mysterious lake. The young boy, only 13, arrives with his family and meets a 16-year-old girl, with whom he falls in love. This is a rites of passage story with all the usual events, such as drinking alcohol, taking drugs, and falling in love for the first time. The young actors give strong performances, open and honest in their emotional vulterability. The director makes wise choices, such as staying with the children and leaving adult actions in the background or slightly off screen. This is an engrossing, charming, slightly disturbing film. The only minus point is the ending, which opts for ambiguity when a more plausible and realistic ending would have had more emotional punch. Well worth seeing.

I saw this film at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival. Of the twelve films I saw, it was, hands down, the best, and one that will stay with me for a long time.

I don't like reading reviews on here that speak too much to a film's plot, so I won't go into details there. Suffice it to say, this is a uniquely crafted coming-of-age story, depicted with almost painful accuracy, with more than a few twists and fresh takes on the genre. It's funny, moving, at times quiet and contemplative, other times intense and energetic. The acting is superb, and the score is perfect.

I believe it was Howard Hawks who said, what makes a great film is: three great scenes, and no bad scenes. If that is the measuring stick, Charlotte LeBon has presented us with a humble Canadian cinematic masterpiece. Not a single shot of this film is unnecessary or superfluous. Foreshadowing beats its quiet wings throughout the entire film, building to one of the best closing shots I have ever witnessed on screen. Watching those final moments, even my goosebumps had goosebumps. If you've seen the film, you'll know what I mean.

Wonderfully atmospheric film, with a big role for sound design and an oppressive but fine soundtrack. Feel good movie with a black, grim edge. The ending lacked choices in my opinion and could have been smarter, but definitely recommended!

Despite the slowness, the film is constantly suspenseful. Nice low fi atmosphere and also the picture format contributes to the whole laid back and nothing going on atmosphere, that occasionally is at odds with the subtle thriller/ (light) horror elements.

Beautifully done and I look forward to more from this debut maker, who cleverly uses clichés from similar childhood romance and vacation films.

If you're into coming of age movies this one is a treat.

The story of Bastien and Chloe is one that you might have seen before but the characters are so well written that you feel like you are making the same new experiences that Bastien does during the movie. They are relatable, flawed yet likeable characters.

While the movie feels very mysterious due to it's cinematography it is actually a fun ride. I've rarely seen humor pulled off in such a way that there is still enough place to contemplate on the emotional depth of the characters presented.

Chloe and Bastien need to be seen to be believed. The chemistry is extraordinary. Much of the film is, actually.

The ending is not. It feels rushed and doesn't give the viewers enough time to familiarize themselves with the situation. Also, something feels off but I can't quite put my finger on it. If the ending would have been en par with the rest of the movie this would have been movie of the year material for me, a strong 9/10 at least. As is, this is still an 8/10 and I kept thinking about Bastien and Chloe for well after when I left the Cinema. Go watch this if you get the chance to!

(Seen this at Viennale Film Festival 2022)

It's not so much the story here that resonates, it's more the craftsmanship that has gone into the production. It's a gorgeous film to look at, to sit back and let wash over you - all amidst some beautiful Québecois scenery. It's at their remote family cabin that the quiet young "Bastien" (Joseph Engel) spends his summers each year and where he meets "Chloë" (Sara Montpetit). Their age difference is only two years, but from the perspective of the young lad, it might as well be twenty as there is a distinctive difference in their respective maturity and approach to their new found relationship. There might be one way he can bridge that gap, though, as we discover that there is a rumour their lake is home to the spectre of someone who drowned there years ago. Perhaps he can solve this mystery and maybe that will earn him his much sought after place in her heart - though she has her cap set elsewhere, which doesn't exactly help! What now ensues rather underplays the spiritual angle which is a shame, and it rather focuses a little too much on the traditional rites of passage elements of this hormonally charged young man who is coming to terms with his first real crush as well as experiencing booze and the general buzz of being in love. There is oodles of chemistry between the pair, though, and coupled with their very gently paced character evolution, we are left with an agreeable degree of tension but not a great deal of horror. Indeed, much of that is limited to the stunning visuals and menacing audio rather than anything more substantial. In the end - which in itself is a bit of an hastily arrived at let down - this really boils down to two confident and engaging performances set against a backdrop of which nature can be proud and though perhaps you might nor recall it for very long, it's oddly soothing to watch, despite the raging hormones on display. Give it a go.