Été 85 (French) [Summer of 85]

A teenage gay love, first love during the pre-technology times, the more innocent time when coming out meant something different and pure. Whats not to look forward to a film set in such times. An innocent gay summer fling that ends in tragedy (I wish that wasn't the case) but then ideas like these make a film even more interesting.

The film starts with Alexis (who now prefers being called Alex) being taken in custody and us leading us to believe that he has something to do with the death of his friend David. He doesn't want to talk to anyone and it's through flashbacks we see what happens. David (18) and Alex (16) met when David rescues helpless Alex when his little boat capsize. David then takes him home to his mom who undresses and bathes Alex (like it happens with all of David's friends). The two boys come really close to one another and you can see Alex falling hopelessly in love with David, who is show to be equally into him but also distant. The only person who Alex can talk to is his literature teacher. Enter Kate, an English girl, who had befriended Alex earlier and David completely into her. This leads to a huge argument between the two boys completely devastating Alex who later finds out that David has been killed in a rash motorcycle driving accident the same evening. Alex now wants to fulfill a promise made to David by dancing on his grave but his mother holds Alex responsible for his death. After a few attempts, David manages to fulfill his promise but gets arrested. His teacher recommends him to wrote it all out what happened and what he feels if Alex is not comfortable talking about it. This is when the truth comes out and Alex is charged with community service. He is now a grown up teenager, learning from a summer love, the idea of love and his future will now get shaped bu the events of the summer of 85.

First things first, the film is beautifully shot. The summer, the blue water, the French sea side, the gorgeous people, everything just fits really well into the narrative. The film is told in two parallel narratives with Alex coming to grips with loss of love and innocence because of David's death and us hearing what actually happened through Alex's point of view via his writing. Even though cards are laid out right at the beginning, I think this was a brilliant idea. Alexis falling for David makes total sense seeing it from his point of view. The tone of many scenes between the boys is straightforward, intimate and quite realistic without revealing too much details. A lot of scenes are left to imagination which makes it even more erotic. The two actors do a brilliant job enacting their character. Alex's transformation from a confused teenager, to falling hopelessly in love to dealing with loss of innocence and eventually coming out is a full graph and has been done full justice. And can we take a minute here to appreciate the amazingly beautiful ass that this boy has, clothes or no clothes. lol. I wish there was a little more details into what shaped David's character. Why does he go around seducing people etc? But besides that everything else in the film grabs your attention. The setting of 85 is perfect in colors, choice of clothes, the surroundings etc. The result is a story that's frequently awkward and a little painful to watch but also sincere and truthful about adolescence in a way seldom seen in films about teenagers.

I would strongly recommend this film. Rightfully premiered in Cannes film festival, teenage gay love stories always bring back some kind of forgotten memories back to all of our minds. Makes us think of first time we probably fell for someone and more. Highly recommend this tragic love story of the summer of 85. (8/10)