Hidden Kisses

At the root of homophobia lies the notion of masculinity as the rigid standard for men and boys (and in a minor subplot, femininity for girls and women). We've seen this all before but Hidden Kisses confronts it head on. In some ways that are deftly handled and in others that are a bit clumsy. There is a homophobic father and is often the weak link in these coming of age movies. It's hard to to get ones head around a character that is so thinly defined except there are real people like this. There are plenty of homophobic students who bully Nathan including one who is black.

The movie really shines when we see the full impact of social media on cultural expectations and norms, and how young adults don't see the consequences of their actions using it. They can do so much harm with so little effort. If the film had focused on this thematically, it might have been a more daring and smarter film. As such, it mostly just does the old stuff very well and returns the focus on the two leads, only to stray with brief chatter between teachers and parents.

The actors do a good job, especially Bérenger Anceaux as Nathan but the adult cast is uniformly excellent.

It's not easy to speak about homosexuality. It's not easy to be homosexual. Hidden kisses will make you look at all the pain gay guys have been through, it will make you feel how much it hurts to have a father who thinks you're sick, to be surrounded of people staring at you disgusted, laughing at you. Just watch it. I've been hesitant to watch this movie, i thought it would have been an average movie talking about the love of two young guys. This is much more. This is a movie everyone should see. And after you've watched Hidden kisses you will be braver if you're a young boy scared of being himself, worried about other people's judgement. And if you are a homophobic, even after you've watched this movie, my question for you is: 'Haven't you got a heart?'

This an amazing / wonderful movie.

Of course, it sounds very french: Patrick Timsit and all actors are playing as (credible) french parents, school and references are located. But, in all the ways I expected it to be, it sounds right, as well in the feeling of having to comply to adults' expectations than in the internal mood, so different from the exposed one. In a first stage, I totally disliked Louis and then felt "in love" with him. He acts totally right, attracted both to what he thinks right and to what he feels right. This movie enlightens the dual pressure much gays are enduring. Thanks to all actors for their acts their.

This would have been a much stronger, more believable story if it were set in some time and place other than 21st century France. As it is, it is captivating until the end, but because of the setting, there's some sort of uncanny valley effect happening.

My expectations were pretty low when I fisrt found this movie, I hadn't heard about it and it seems not many people have either. To my surprise, it's a beautiful and so well done movie. Yes, it's about the drama of being gay, coming out, being accepted, finding love... however, Hidden Kisses (French: Baisers cachés) tells us a story of two boys, at first focusing in one of them, and as the movie goes around, the second one is wisely included in the script - and all you can feel is your inner wish for them to be ok, to be loved, to love. Plus the movie brings awareness of the fact that homophobia and bullying are still present in the French schools, and surely in many other countries. And it needs to be discussed, there could be no space for hate and discrimination against love, specifically LGBTQ love. Kudos for the director and specially the cast, great story! LOVE IS FOR EVERYONE!