Hidden Kisses [Baisers Cachés] *** (2016, Bérenger Anceaux, Jules Houplain, Patrick Timsit) – Classic Movie Review 12,473

Didier Bivel’s 2016 French LGBTQ-themed drama film Hidden Kisses [Baisers Cachés] deals sensitively and intelligently with the coming out of two gay teenagers.

Director Didier Bivel’s sincere, thoughtful and entertaining 2016 French LGBTQ-themed drama film Hidden Kisses [Baisers Cachés] deals sensitively and intelligently with the coming out process of two gay teenagers, along with the issue of bullying in school.

The story is well set up, and ready to teach a few lessons to the ignorant or prejudiced: be yourself and do not care what people say. The performances are strong and involving, especially by lead actors Bérenger Anceaux, Jules Houplain, and Patrick Timsit.

Bérenger Anceaux as Nathan and Patrick Timsit as Stéphane,

Bérenger Anceaux stars as French teenager Nathan, aged 16, who lives with his single policeman father Stéphane (Patrick Timsit) in their new apartment, while the boy has to start in another school mid-term. The father and son’s once close relationship grows distant after Stéphane learns Nathan is gay.

After an initial hiccup, and finding a beaten Nathan in his room crying, Stéphane begins to support his son and encourages him to be himself and not care what people say. Nathan is invited to a party where he falls in love with Louis (Jules Houplain), a boy in his class.

They think they are out of sight and kiss each other, but someone takes a photo of them and shares it on Facebook. And soon the entire school is aware of the gay kiss, and the kids bully and reject Nathan.

But none of the students realises the other boy in the photo is Louis because of the angle the dark photo was taken. Tristan (Nicolas Carpentier), an English teacher at the school, notices Nathan being bullied and pleads with his closeted lesbian maths teacher Catherine (Catherine Jacob) to offer the boy help and advice, but she refuses.

When the boys meet up again, Louis rejects Nathan and claims he is not gay. He leaves angrily and heads off home, where he spends time tanning in the pool with his girlfriend, Laura (Lisa Kramarz).

Bérenger Anceaux as Nathan.

The cast are Bérenger Anceaux as Nathan, Jules Houplain as Louis, Patrick Timsit as Stéphane, Barbara Schulz as Corinne, Bruno Putzulu as Bruno, Catherine Jacob as Catherine, Nicolas Carpentier as Tristan, and Lisa Kramarz as Laura.

Writer: Jérôme Larche.

It premiered at the Luchon Film Festival on 4 February 2016 and was released in France on 17 May 2017. It was later released by Breaking Glass Pictures in the United States.

Running time: 87 minutes.

© Derek Winnert 2023 – Classic Movie Review 12,473

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Bérenger Anceaux as Nathan and Jules Houplain as Louis.