After half a lifetime a writer returns to his hometown, where memories of his first love soon resurface.

Lie With Me is a coming of age romantic drama, directed by Olivier Peyon and based on the French novel Arrête Avec Tes Mensonges by Phillipe Besson. 

Set across two timelines in the idyllic French countryside, the film stars Guillaume de Tonquédec and Jérémy Gillet as writer Stéphane Belcourt, alongside Victor Belmondo and Julien De Saint Jean as Lucas and Thomas Andrieu.

What’s it about?

When successful writer Stéphane Belcourt is invited to promote a distillery in his hometown of Cognac, he agrees to return home after 35 years away.

As the author retraces his steps, repercussions and haunting questions of his past soon start to resurface.

Lie With Me has a tender plot that jumps between past and present.

The audience are transported back in time as we meet a younger Stéphane (played by Gillet), who can’t help but keep his eyes off of one of his classmates, Thomas Andrieu.

Look, it’s a coming of age drama so it’s certainly not the steamiest release in gay cinema. But, the boys waste absolutely no time getting hot and heavy in the school gymnasium. Leading to a summer fling where hours turn into days as the teens explore every inch of each other. 

Before long though, it’s fear of who they are and who they are supposed to be that threaten to nip their blossoming romance in the bud.

Meanwhile in the present day, a blithering Stéphane is greeted by the handsome stranger Lucas. It soon becomes clear that his first love may not have been as secret as he thought and he isn’t the only one looking for answers.

The past has a way of catching up to you…

Guillaume de Tonquédec portrays the older Stéphane with an air of ignorance developed over years of big city life. He forgets that the small town’s attitude he left behind long ago haven’t changed much, leading to some nail-bitingly awkward encounters. Quite different to Jérémy Gillets timid and hopeful (if not a little naive) approach to the younger character.

Julien De Saint Jean plays the closeted Thomas Andrieu with an intense guilt. A sullen demeanour displays the character’s internal homophobia and his performance no doubt speaks volumes to many a viewer, stirring up many a memory. And to top it off, Victor Belmondo (the epitome of handsome French guy by the way) delivers a heart wrenching take on Lucas.

Worth a go?

Ultimately, Lie With Me is a film about reflection and closure with the pain of all three characters, past and present, at its helm.

You might find when you watch Lie With Me that it takes you right back to your own youth. Perhaps you’ll very quickly find yourself thinking of your own experiences and wondering what if.

Well worth a watch, the intertwining plotlines create a moving contrast of young love and regret that will leave you thinking about the film for days to follow.

Where you can watch it:

Ideal for an after work flick, you can watch Lie With Me for yourself here.

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