https://youtu.be/zLW0KxyGsJY
In Matthias & Maxime, childhood best friends Matthias and Maxime find themselves at a crossroads after being asked to share a kiss for a student film. What begins as a simple favor gradually turns into a source of emotional turmoil for both men. Matthias, an affluent corporate worker with a girlfriend, becomes increasingly distant from Maxime, whose shy and vulnerable personality contrasts with Matthias’s hardened exterior. As the two try to navigate their feelings, they must come to terms with the emotional and sexual boundaries that their kiss has brought into question, ultimately testing the strength of their lifelong friendship.
Matthias & Maxime (2019) is an intimate portrayal of how friendships evolve and change when deeper emotions come to the surface. Xavier Dolan, known for his personal and affecting narratives, delivers a nuanced look at the complexity of male relationships, particularly when intertwined with questions of sexual identity.
The film’s central conflict is introduced when Matthias and Maxime, lifelong friends, are asked to kiss for a student film. The kiss itself is never shown on-screen, leaving the impact of the moment to unfold through visual metaphors like oscillating swings and extinguished candles. This decision heightens the emotional resonance, emphasizing how the small act ripples through their lives, leaving Matthias confused about his sexuality and Maxime dealing with both his friend’s distance and his own uncertainties.
Maxime, who is about to leave for Australia, is portrayed with a delicate sensitivity. Played by Dolan, Maxime is quiet, reserved, and carries the weight of his difficult family life, including an abusive mother. The character’s vulnerability is made even more poignant by his plans to leave everything behind in search of a better future.
On the other hand, Matthias represents the internal conflict of a man who is rigidly attached to his sense of masculinity and the life he’s built. His avoidance of Maxime following the kiss is marked by an emotional immaturity that stems from his discomfort with the feelings it stirs. This conflict is heightened by Dolan’s brilliant direction, which subtly contrasts their outward differences—Matthias in his pristine corporate attire versus Maxime in his worn-out sweaters—while suggesting their emotional connection is far deeper than what either is ready to admit.
The film’s cinematography is stunning, particularly in its use of natural landscapes and quiet moments to mirror the characters’ internal struggles. The standout scene of Matthias swimming across a lake after the kiss is a powerful visual metaphor for his emotional turmoil and desire to escape what he cannot control.
What makes Matthias & Maxime so powerful is the authenticity of its depiction of queer love. It doesn’t rush into romantic conclusions, but instead lingers on the ambiguity and emotional tension that comes with the realization of deeper feelings. Dolan refuses to provide easy answers, leaving the audience with an open-ended reflection on how love can be found in unexpected places.
In conclusion, Matthias & Maxime is a heartfelt and beautifully crafted film that explores the fragile boundary between friendship and love. It portrays queer relationships with honesty and sensitivity, making it a significant entry in Dolan’s already impressive filmography. The film’s emotional depth and quiet power lie in the unspoken words and unresolved tensions, offering a deeply resonant and moving exploration of love, friendship, and identity.
