Falcon Lake

It's not so much the story here that resonates, it's more the craftsmanship that has gone into the production. It's a gorgeous film to look at, to sit back and let wash over you - all amidst some beautiful Québecois scenery. It's at their remote family cabin that the quiet young "Bastien" (Joseph Engel) spends his summers each year and where he meets "Chloë" (Sara Montpetit). Their age difference is only two years, but from the perspective of the young lad, it might as well be twenty as there is a distinctive difference in their respective maturity and approach to their new found relationship. There might be one way he can bridge that gap, though, as we discover that there is a rumour their lake is home to the spectre of someone who drowned there years ago. Perhaps he can solve this mystery and maybe that will earn him his much sought after place in her heart - though she has her cap set elsewhere, which doesn't exactly help! What now ensues rather underplays the spiritual angle which is a shame, and it rather focuses a little too much on the traditional rites of passage elements of this hormonally charged young man who is coming to terms with his first real crush as well as experiencing booze and the general buzz of being in love. There is oodles of chemistry between the pair, though, and coupled with their very gently paced character evolution, we are left with an agreeable degree of tension but not a great deal of horror. Indeed, much of that is limited to the stunning visuals and menacing audio rather than anything more substantial. In the end - which in itself is a bit of an hastily arrived at let down - this really boils down to two confident and engaging performances set against a backdrop of which nature can be proud and though perhaps you might nor recall it for very long, it's oddly soothing to watch, despite the raging hormones on display. Give it a go.

Charlotte Le Bon has created something great here. Of the many good coming-of-age films set in French Canada, this is my favourite. One of the main reasons for this is the two young lead actors. Sara Montpetit has already been praised many times, and rightly so. But Joseph Engel is simply brilliant in his role. He is a being who is exactly halfway between childhood and the adult world, and he portrays this completely naturally and convincingly. The two are ideally cast for the roles of Bas and Chloé. Add to that the multitude of small, lovingly observed scenes, the appropriately slow pace, the enchanting landscape shots and, in particular, the unforgettable, almost hypnotic music. The film will stay with you for a long time. The ending has been criticized a lot. It is indeed not easy. But you may be able to make peace with it if you watch the film a second or even a third time: it had to happen the way it did.

Falcon Lake is an interesting directorial debut that explores a boy's experience of first love on a summer holiday. The story is very atmospheric, taking place around a mysterious lake. The young boy, only 13, arrives with his family and meets a 16-year-old girl, with whom he falls in love. This is a rites of passage story with all the usual events, such as drinking alcohol, taking drugs, and falling in love for the first time. The young actors give strong performances, open and honest in their emotional vulterability. The director makes wise choices, such as staying with the children and leaving adult actions in the background or slightly off screen. This is an engrossing, charming, slightly disturbing film. The only minus point is the ending, which opts for ambiguity when a more plausible and realistic ending would have had more emotional punch. Well worth seeing.

Wonderfully atmospheric film, with a big role for sound design and an oppressive but fine soundtrack. Feel good movie with a black, grim edge. The ending lacked choices in my opinion and could have been smarter, but definitely recommended!

Despite the slowness, the film is constantly suspenseful. Nice low fi atmosphere and also the picture format contributes to the whole laid back and nothing going on atmosphere, that occasionally is at odds with the subtle thriller/ (light) horror elements.

Beautifully done and I look forward to more from this debut maker, who cleverly uses clichés from similar childhood romance and vacation films.

This is obviously based on first hand experience. Without spoiling anything, the basic setup is, as stated in the official storyline, that there is a 13-year-old boy (going on 14), who bonds with a 16-year-old girl. The age difference is almost just 2 years, but we can imagine the difference in their maturity - and we will be right.

The male audience already knows where such a setup can lead for a 14-year-old boy: both Heaven and Hell. And usually it leads to both - almost without exception. So it is a really hard watch for any male who has not completely forgotten his early teen years. Pure art here.