Close is a 2022 French Subtitled drama about friendship and grief from writer and director Lukas Dhont.

Set in the rolling French countryside, 13 year olds Leo and Remi share an incredible friendship, the kind you can only have when you are young. On the cusp of puberty, their days are spent cycling, playing in abandoned buildings and having sleepovers. Their bond is put to the test though as schoolyard teasings see imaginary monsters disappear and the self consciousness of growing up rearing its ugly head.

Soon, Leo pushes Remi away and discovers a sense of identity without his best friend, with fatal consequences.

The first half of Close captures the essence of boyhood wonderfully. You’ll be thinking back to your own childhood spent playing outside until it gets dark and before the world got so much bigger.

The two actors, Eden Dambrine and Gustavia De Waele do an incredible job as Leo and Remi. Everything from how they interact with each other to how the characters begin to outgrow their parents idea of them is perfect. Tragically, the way Leo and Remi are unable to understand their new feelings. Leo can’t tell Remi why he is pushing him away and Remi can’t understand why it’s happening. This is one of the key points of the film and places the two actors well beyond their years.

The second half of Close deals with childhood grief with a real sensitivity. As Leo comes to terms with not only his loss, but his guilt, it is in his brother he finds solace, building up to a scene with Remi’s mum Sophie (played by Émilie Dequenne) that you know is coming but is absolutely heartbreaking nonetheless.

This reviewer hasn’t balled his eyes out to a film this much since someone told him to whack Bridge To Terabithia on.

Close uses a number of film techniques that serve as metaphors for the boy’s journeys.

Throughout the film we see Remi and Leo cycling side by side through fields. As their friendship begins to unravel one particular sequence sees Leo disappear in the background behind Remi, leaving only Remi in the shot, highlighting his isolation. Moments later the path splits and the boys head off in different directions. A metaphor not only for the plot but for life in general.

Later, we see a tractor tearing up flowers. The short scene feels out of place against the rest of the film so far, but with a harrowing sadness we soon understand why.

Whilst Close delivers a delicate approach to the issues and themes within, it packs a tragically sad punch. You will find yourself sobbing for most of the film and wishing that things had turned out differently for both boys. Despite this, it is an incredibly tender portrayal of growing up and futures cut short.

Trigger warnings: Child suicide.

You can watch Close on BBC IPlayer or via the Peccadillo Pictures website.