We’ve all had those moments where we wanted to scream at our parents, but Dolan turns that teenage angst into a stylish piece of cinema that feels incredibly personal and raw.
Xavier Dolan was only 19 when he made this, and you can really feel that raw, teenage energy in every scene. The movie isn't about some big, complicated plot. It is about Hubert, a guy who just cannot stand his mother. They live together in this small apartment and they fight about everything. Honestly, it is that stage of life we all kind of remember, where even the way your parent breathes feels like a personal attack on your soul.
What it’s like to watch
The first thing you’ll notice is how loud it is. There is a lot of yelling. But it’s not that fake, scripted yelling you see in big Hollywood dramas. This feels like real, ugly fighting. They say mean things that they don't really mean, just because they are frustrated and stuck together. Between the fights, there are these cool, black-and-white segments where Hubert talks directly to the camera, like he is recording a video diary. It makes the whole thing feel very personal, like you are getting a peek into his head.
The Cast and Atmosphere
Anne Dorval is incredible as the mother, Chantale. She isn't a villain, she is just a messy, tired woman with some questionable fashion choices who has no idea how to talk to her son anymore. You actually feel for her, even when she is being annoying. Dolan himself plays Hubert, and he is great at showing that mix of teenage arrogance and vulnerability. Their chemistry is what makes the movie. You see them go from screaming at each other to having a quiet moment in seconds, and it feels totally authentic.
The movie also looks very artistic. Since it is Dolan, you get plenty of slow-motion shots, bright colors, and a soundtrack that fits the mood perfectly. There is this one scene with paint and dripping that looks like something out of a music video. It balances out the heavy emotional stuff at home. Also, the scenes between Hubert and his boyfriend Antonin are a nice break from the chaos - they are quiet, sweet, and show a different side of Hubert.
If you have ever had a day where you just wanted to run away from home and never look back, this movie will hit close to home. It is energetic, a bit pretentious in that way only a 19-year-old director can be, and very relatable. Definitely a must-watch if you want to see where one of the most interesting voices in queer cinema started.
