🎬 Lie with Me (2022)
Starring: Félix Lefebvre, Théodore Pellerin, Adèle Haenel
Directed by: Philippe Claudel
Genre: Romantic Drama, LGBTQ+, Coming-of-Age
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
Lie with Me (2022) is a quiet storm — a tender and aching meditation on first love, unspoken truths, and the lasting echo of youth. Adapted from the bestselling novel by Philippe Besson, this intimate French drama pulls viewers into the emotional orbit of a man haunted by the love that defined him — and the silence that broke it.
Set across two timelines, the story follows Stéphane Belcourt (Félix Lefebvre), a successful middle-aged author who returns to his rural hometown for a literary event. There, he unexpectedly encounters Lucas (Théodore Pellerin) — the son of Thomas, his first and only true love from decades past. Through this meeting, long-suppressed memories begin to resurface, unraveling the poignant, passionate affair that shaped Stéphane’s youth.
The flashbacks are luminous and aching, capturing the summer of 1984 with sun-drenched countryside, secret glances, and the bittersweet urgency of a love that had no place to bloom. Adèle Haenel delivers a striking supporting performance as Claire, Stéphane’s confidante who quietly witnesses the love he cannot name.
Director Philippe Claudel steers the film with poetic restraint, letting emotions simmer beneath the surface. Dialogue is minimal, but the silences speak volumes. Each moment is beautifully composed, from the stolen embraces behind school walls to the quiet devastation of a farewell never said out loud.
The cinematography by Claire Mathon (known for Portrait of a Lady on Fire) bathes the film in nostalgia, with golden fields and soft shadows mirroring the fragility of memory. The score, composed by Alexandre Desplat, gently underscores the emotion with a melancholic piano theme that lingers long after the credits.
Final Verdict:
Lie with Me is a breathtakingly intimate portrait of love remembered and love lost. With deeply affecting performances and lyrical storytelling, it reminds us that some truths — even when buried — never stop asking to be heard. A must-watch for fans of Call Me by Your Name and Blue is the Warmest Color.
