“Young Hearts” Offers Refreshing Queer Romance,But Lacks Emotional Depth
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A new film from Belgium,”Young Hearts,” presents a tender story of first love between two teenage boys,but falls short of delivering the emotional resonance found in comparable dramas.The film, arriving in UK cinemas on August 8th, distinguishes itself with a notably uncomplicated portrayal of a queer relationship, yet ultimately feels somewhat superficial in it’s execution.
A Rural Romance Blossoms
the story centers on Elias (Lou Goossens), a teenager living in rural Belgium who is nominally dating Valerie (Saar Rogiers) while his father composes popular music and his grandfather tends to a nearby farm. His life is disrupted by the arrival of Alexander (Marius de Saeger), a newcomer from Brussels, who quickly becomes a close friend – and then something more. their burgeoning relationship unfolds against a backdrop of typical teenage challenges, including homophobic bullying at school and the fallout from Elias’s previous relationship.
The narrative avoids dwelling on the inherent difficulties often associated with coming-of-age stories focused on LGBTQ+ youth, a choice one observer describes as “an arguably refreshing and perhaps even radical refusal to problematise the central relationship.” This approach,however,comes at a cost.
A Smooth,But Ultimately Passionless,Narrative
While the film resolves its central conflicts with a neatness that some may find appealing,it lacks the raw emotional power of similar films. The older generation, including Elias’s farmer grandfather, demonstrate surprising acceptance, which, while admirable, contributes to the overall sense of smoothness.
A key point of comparison is drawn to Luca Guadagnino’s “Call me By Yoru Name,” specifically the poignant speech delivered by Michael Stuhlbarg to Timothée Chalamet. “There is nothing, such as, to match or even approach the great speech…in Guadagnino’s Call Me By Your name,” the review notes. This highlights a perceived deficiency in “Young Hearts” – a lack of the profound emotional depth that defines truly impactful stories of young love.
The Heart of the Matter: Understanding Heartbreak
The film’s critics suggest it struggles to fully grasp a essential truth about love, nonetheless of sexual orientation: that it is “mostly about heartbreak and about moving on.” While “Young hearts” offers a pleasant and uncomplicated viewing experience, it ultimately leaves the audience wanting a more substantial exploration of the complexities of the human heart.
Why: “young Hearts” explores the burgeoning romance between Elias and Alexander, two teenage boys in rural Belgium.
Who: The film stars Lou Goossens as Elias, Marius De Saeger as Alexander, and Saar Rogiers as Valerie. It is directed by Marianne Lambert.
What: The film depicts a first love story, focusing on the initial attraction, the development of their relationship amidst societal pressures (homophobic bullying), and the eventual resolution of their connection.
How did it end?: the film concludes with Elias and Alexander parting ways, with Alexander returning to Brussels. While not a dramatic breakup, the ending acknowledges the transient nature of first love and the inevitability of moving on, leaving the audience with a sense of bittersweet acceptance. the film doesn’t offer a definitive “happily ever after,” but rather a realistic portrayal of a young relationship’s natural conclusion.
