New to the UK is the French LGBTQ+ romantic drama, Lie With Me (aka Arrête avec tes mensonges). Directed by Olivier Peyon, Lie With Me is based on a 2017 novel by Philippe Besson, and stars Jérémy Gillet, Julien De Saint Jean, Victor Belmondo, and Guillaume de Tonquédec.
In the movie, it has been 35 years since author Stéphane Belcourt has been back to his home town. Within this time he has become a successful writer with a string of books under his belt.
But when Stéphane arrives in town to take part in a book signing, he is instantly reminded of his youth growing up in the 1980s. It was a time when he was a closeted queer teenager, and when he embarked on a secret romance with fellow student, Thomas Andrieu.
Although memories of that time fill his mind, Stéphane tries not to dwell on the past too much, as it was an emotional period in his life. However, when he crosses paths with Thomas’ son, Lucas, it opens the floodgates, and he finds himself going on a nostalgic tour of his youth – both mentally and physically.
Beautifully crafted, Lie With Me is a heartfelt romantic drama about love and loss. The picture explores the heady heights of those first flushes of infatuation, as well as the crushing disappointment when things don’t work out.
Told across two timelines – the present day and 1984 – the film follows Stéphane’s journey as he recalls a very special moment in time. His relationship with Thomas only lasted a short while, but it meant the world to him during his formative years and in so many ways it shaped the course of his life.
Lie With Me is about revisiting his past and dealing with his unfinished business. This conjures up good times and bad, but all the way throughout the movie there is an overriding sense of love.
Sure, the film is imbued with a haunting degree of melancholy, which brings a fair bit of sadness to the picture, but Lie With Me is more than a dour tale. It is a story about a powerful connection between two people, and one which still surprises Stéphane all these years later.
Leading Lie With Me is a superb cast which includes Jérémy Gillet and Julien De Saint Jean as young Stéphane and Thomas respectively, with Guillaume de Tonquédec as the now adult Stéphane, and Victor Belmondo as Thomas’ son, Lucas. The core quartet of actors are excellent in the picture, with Gillet and De Saint Jean particularly effective as the teenage lovers.
Although their ‘80s-set scenes are somewhat brief and are quite spaced out throughout the narrative, each moment with Gillet and De Jean Saint really hits the spot. With every scene the actors are effortlessly able to convey the burgeoning romance between Stéphane and Thomas, and it will no doubt feel all too familiar to anyone who has experienced something similar.
Meanwhile the modern-day sequences add additional weight to the picture and become the main focus of the story. It is here where Guillaume de Tonquédec gets to shine, as the adult Stéphane dealing with a huge rush of emotions which he struggles to keep in check.
Outside of the cast, Lie With Me features solid direction, some delightful cinematography, and a heartfelt and impactful script. Lie With Me is one of those movies which ticks many boxes, maintains a consistent tone throughout, and serves up an engaging story.
Should you wish to take a look for yourself, Lie With Me is currently playing in select UK cinemas. It won’t be around long, and you may have to hunt for it outside of the multiplexes, but should you wish to see it on the big screen now is your chance.
Alternatively, Lie With Me is also available for home viewing. You can purchase the movie through digital platforms including Amazon, iTunes, Curzon Home Cinema, and Peccadillo Pictures.
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