X
- 2016
- Not Rated
- Strand Releasing
- 1 h 30 m
- 2016
- Not Rated
- Strand Releasing
- 1 h 30 m
Summary A fresh take on the coming-of-age story, this surreal tale follows the artistically driven Oscar (Connor Jessup) hovering on the brink of adulthood. Struggling to find his place in the world after a rough childhood and haunted by images of a tragic incident, Oscar dreams of escaping his small town. After he meets a mysterious and attrac...
Directed By: Stephen Dunn
Written By: Don McKellar, Stephen Dunn
- 2016
- Not Rated
- Strand Releasing
- 1 h 30 m
- 2016
- Not Rated
- Strand Releasing
- 1 h 30 m
Closet Monster
81
7.6
Where to Watch
Summary A fresh take on the coming-of-age story, this surreal tale follows the artistically driven Oscar (Connor Jessup) hovering on the brink of adulthood. Struggling to find his place in the world after a rough childhood and haunted by images of a tragic incident, Oscar dreams of escaping his small town. After he meets a mysterious and attrac...
Directed By: Stephen Dunn
Written By: Don McKellar, Stephen Dunn
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 11 Critic Reviews
81
100% Positive
11 Reviews
11 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 11 Critic Reviews
81
100% Positive
11 Reviews
11 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Dunn juggles the story’s vital, at times fantastical narrative, eclectic imagery, and wellspring of human fears, flaws and desires with vision and confidence. But Jessup’s powerfully empathetic performance really seals the deal.
[A] superb coming-of-age drama.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 44 User Ratings
7.6
80% Positive
35 Ratings
35 Ratings
9% Mixed
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
11% Negative
5 Ratings
5 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 44 User Ratings
7.6
80% Positive
35 Ratings
35 Ratings
9% Mixed
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
11% Negative
5 Ratings
5 Ratings
Influential of surroundings on one's character development.
It was a bit surprise film, because I did not get the film plot in the beginning. I did not know it was about ****. Well, it was not entirely on that theme, but comes there after so many turns in the tale. So this is a coming-of-age and to discover sexuality theme. Also very neatly points out how a person develops his character by the influence of his surroundings. Even if it all begins with a small mistake or playful thing, in that small age, it all looks very serious, especially a character like in this film.
Despite it was a cinematic, that might be true in real life. The parents as well influence their kids to grow up in a better path. So parenting fail too was highlighted in here. It was unfortunate how the father character was turned out at the end. That is the moment I could not decide whom I'm rooting for. It was like, seemed nobody's fault, but out of the guilt and frustration, emotion bursts out and things happen which is what this film focused on.
Good performances, a well shot film. One of the nice LGBT films I've seen. Only on the reality side, it worked, but not as an inspiration. Though one can consider it an awareness film. I feel it should be watched, but not as a must see. Because of so many issues it centres, like a boy growing up facing them, what he becomes was revealed in its message. I think it's good for watching once.
6/10
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Dunn’s work is a far more fantastical feat, one that mixes slow-burn drama with a welcome Cronenbergian sensibility. Oh, and Isabella Rossellini plays a talking hamster. Just try to top that.
Autobiographical but also singularly imaginative, this formally exuberant bildungsroman plays like a Gregg Araki film with a dash of Cronenbergian psychosomatic body-rebellion thrown in.
The ingenious cinematographer, Bobby Shore, uses the Newfoundland locations to achieve some of his most striking effects. The result is sort of a horror film, but not really. It’s too funny to be categorized that way.
Dunn plays around with perspective and style, but all the flash doesn't obscure the film's emotion and heart, which are deep and true.
It's when Stephen Dunn dares to inhabit the how and not the what of queerness that Closet Monster feels authentic and deliciously strange.
[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]
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[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]
Report
Production Company
Rhombus Media,
Elevation Pictures,
Best Boy Productions
Release Date Sep 23, 2016
Duration 1 h 30 m
Rating Not Rated
Awards
FilmOut San Diego, US
• 3 Wins & 3 Nominations
Atlantic Film Festival
• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations
Toronto International Film Festival
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
