Falcon Lake (2022)

It’s not so much the story here that resonates, it’s more the craftsmanship that has gone into the production. It’s a gorgeous film to look at, to sit back and let wash over you - all amidst some beautiful Québecois scenery. It’s at their remote family cabin that the quiet young “Bastien” (Joseph Engel) spends his summers each year and where he meets “Chloë” (Sara Montpetit). Their age difference is only two years, but from the perspective of the young lad, it might as well be twenty as there is a distinctive difference in their respective maturity and approach to their new found relationship. There might be one way he can bridge that gap, though, as we discover that there is a rumour their lake is home to the spectre of someone who drowned there years ago. Perhaps he can solve this mystery and maybe that will earn him his much sought after place in her heart - though she has her cap set elsewhere, which doesn’t exactly help! What now ensues rather underplays the spiritual angle which is a shame, and it rather focuses a little too much on the traditional rites of passage elements of this hormonally charged young man who is coming to terms with his first real crush as well as experiencing booze and the general buzz of being in love. There is oodles of chemistry between the pair, though, and coupled with their very gently paced character evolution, we are left with an agreeable degree of tension but not a great deal of horror. Indeed, much of that is limited to the stunning visuals and menacing audio rather than anything more substantial. In the end - which in itself is a bit of an hastily arrived at let down - this really boils down to two confident and engaging performances set against a backdrop of which nature can be proud and though perhaps you might nor recall it for very long, it’s oddly soothing to watch, despite the raging hormones on display. Give it a go.

**_Low-key flick about coming-of-age on a lake in Quebec_**

The story revolves around an almost 14 years-old boy (Joseph Engel) and his relationship with a 16 years-old girl (Sara Montpetit). While an indie, the filmmaking is proficient and has the confidence to let the characters breathe. The two are comfortable enough with each other that they don’t feel it necessary to yak on incessantly. As such, this is a slow burn drama with a reverent tone showcasing the good, the bad and the awkward of the challenging teenage years.

There’s also a ghostly element that tempts you to reinterpret the film in hindsight. I said “tempts” because, really, this is all about my title blurb, I think.

There is a real-life Falcon Lake in southeast Manitoba, which I’ve camped at a couple of times, but this was shot 1300 miles east of there on the west side of Lac Solar (aka Lake Solar), which is just over an hour’s drive northwest of Montreal.

It runs 1h 40m and was shot in the heart of summer 2021.

GRADE: B