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June 8, 2024: Bus ride to NYC going through New Jersey. Wanted to do an article about Tribeca Festival and film review at a theater. On occasion, like to spend my money to let you know if something is worth it. Check out times / films: Come Closer (already on high priority list) easy choice, definitely did not disappoint.
Come Closer is very real / relatable / different. Filmed in Tel Aviv with scenes in Sinai / Hebrew language / English subtitles. Technical credit here: subtitles were on screen long enough to easily follow dialogue. Come Closer hit a personal note with Eden (main character). Sorry, no spoilers in this review.
Come Closer slingshots you in the opening scenes with a slight hint at the main tragedy. Nati, Eden's brother, has a close call on his bike while texting. The next part seriously catches you off guard. He is kidnapped (hood over head / hands bound / shoved into a car) by a several people. Considering current what is happening with Israel / Gaza, you really wonder about film description. Don't worry, the slingshot continues! It is part of his birthday surprise / party by Eden. Maybe I am seeing something that is not there from this point.
My take on the relationship between Eden and Nati: Was it more than brother / sister? The film hinted at this at times, especially when relationship between Eden / Maya evolves. Maya? Nati's secret girlfriend Eden discovers. Maybe I am completely off here and seeing something that is not present.
I want to focus on Eden here. She is an almost perfect balance of out of control without going over the edge. She is wild / parties / has sex with a married man. Knows where the final line is and does not cross it. She hides emotion, especially pain. Even when she wants to show it, people don't see or care. Her illusion is a double-edged sword which almost everyone can see in themselves. She forced me to remember how I dealt with a major tragedy going from one extreme to the other at times. Trying to figure out how to move on.
How the relationship between Eden / Maya evolves kept me guessing. Was it real and honest or only an attempt to keep a memory alive? Maya is a great contrast to Eden, low key / shy / showing incredible strength / control at times. Moments of standing her ground with Eden at her worst. The way both characters interact on all levels, including sexual, you feel true intimacy and connection. They also make you cautious and question the true meaning of it.
I have to point out one aspect here. Something Hollywood has almost come to fear. Writer / Director Tom Nesher was not afraid to show nudity. Read this part very carefully. Every scene with nudity had a purpose in the film. It helped make Come Closer a very real film. It helps make characters very believable. It contributes to making you feel a part of the film vs. watching it.
Seriously, end felt rushed with several questions raised. Almost like "We have to wrap this up". A time jump with Eden evolving / changing in a major way. I get it, people grow up, time does its thing and makes wounds easier to deal with. Eden's transformation goes way beyond this. To the point of needing more film / story to explain. Adding 10 - 15 minutes would not have pushed time limit / attention span of the film in the slightest.
Important part: Was Come Closer worth the $33 and 2 hours in a theater on a beautiful day? Split second answer: YES!!!!! I completely forgot about NYC existed and even the theater around me. Every second of the film had me wanting the next. Needed the restroom (too much Diet Coke) and waited until what I was hoping for a point I would not miss anything major. Come Closer is one of those rare films with an intense immersion factor. One of those rare films every moment is real / completely believable. You need to find out what will happen in the next minute / second. It will slingshot / surprise you throughout entire film. Very special Thank You to Tom / actors and actresses / everyone involved with the film. What you created / shared with the world will affect people's lives in ways not realized.
Come Closer is very real / relatable / different. Filmed in Tel Aviv with scenes in Sinai / Hebrew language / English subtitles. Technical credit here: subtitles were on screen long enough to easily follow dialogue. Come Closer hit a personal note with Eden (main character). Sorry, no spoilers in this review.
Come Closer slingshots you in the opening scenes with a slight hint at the main tragedy. Nati, Eden's brother, has a close call on his bike while texting. The next part seriously catches you off guard. He is kidnapped (hood over head / hands bound / shoved into a car) by a several people. Considering current what is happening with Israel / Gaza, you really wonder about film description. Don't worry, the slingshot continues! It is part of his birthday surprise / party by Eden. Maybe I am seeing something that is not there from this point.
My take on the relationship between Eden and Nati: Was it more than brother / sister? The film hinted at this at times, especially when relationship between Eden / Maya evolves. Maya? Nati's secret girlfriend Eden discovers. Maybe I am completely off here and seeing something that is not present.
I want to focus on Eden here. She is an almost perfect balance of out of control without going over the edge. She is wild / parties / has sex with a married man. Knows where the final line is and does not cross it. She hides emotion, especially pain. Even when she wants to show it, people don't see or care. Her illusion is a double-edged sword which almost everyone can see in themselves. She forced me to remember how I dealt with a major tragedy going from one extreme to the other at times. Trying to figure out how to move on.
How the relationship between Eden / Maya evolves kept me guessing. Was it real and honest or only an attempt to keep a memory alive? Maya is a great contrast to Eden, low key / shy / showing incredible strength / control at times. Moments of standing her ground with Eden at her worst. The way both characters interact on all levels, including sexual, you feel true intimacy and connection. They also make you cautious and question the true meaning of it.
I have to point out one aspect here. Something Hollywood has almost come to fear. Writer / Director Tom Nesher was not afraid to show nudity. Read this part very carefully. Every scene with nudity had a purpose in the film. It helped make Come Closer a very real film. It helps make characters very believable. It contributes to making you feel a part of the film vs. watching it.
Seriously, end felt rushed with several questions raised. Almost like "We have to wrap this up". A time jump with Eden evolving / changing in a major way. I get it, people grow up, time does its thing and makes wounds easier to deal with. Eden's transformation goes way beyond this. To the point of needing more film / story to explain. Adding 10 - 15 minutes would not have pushed time limit / attention span of the film in the slightest.
Important part: Was Come Closer worth the $33 and 2 hours in a theater on a beautiful day? Split second answer: YES!!!!! I completely forgot about NYC existed and even the theater around me. Every second of the film had me wanting the next. Needed the restroom (too much Diet Coke) and waited until what I was hoping for a point I would not miss anything major. Come Closer is one of those rare films with an intense immersion factor. One of those rare films every moment is real / completely believable. You need to find out what will happen in the next minute / second. It will slingshot / surprise you throughout entire film. Very special Thank You to Tom / actors and actresses / everyone involved with the film. What you created / shared with the world will affect people's lives in ways not realized.
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