“I have a big brother, which is way better.”

I just want to give Zoé Héran’s character a big hug. Just for a little bit. Tell them it’s okay, even if it’ll be tough sometimes. Growing up is hard.

Though I’ll never personally feel the internal anxiety and war with identity that Laure/Mickaël felt throughout the summer this movie takes place, there was still an ultra-relatable quality to the character that made them so charming and sweet. 

This movie has a tenderness to it — I felt very similarly watching this movie as I did with The Florida Project. I can’t help but make the comparison since both center around kids and their adventures in the summer while living near each other like at camp, whether it’s a motel or an apartment complex. While socioeconomic background isn’t really a core tenet of this film, the struggle for belonging and the struggle to preserve innocence rings true in both.

And also, both movies have amazing child performances.

Young Zoé Héran. End of story. Now, I want to see what she’s up to now and dive into her more recent roles, but amigos, I can assure you that she played her role exceptionally — Laure/Mickaël just wanted to be happy. And it’s fucking confusing to find out how to truly be happy, especially that young.

Yay Céline Sciamma! Major kudos to her. This film has been recognized and beloved throughout the 2010s, but at least now I can personally say she’s one of my favorite voices in contemporary film, checking off more than just Portrait of a Lady on Fire on my “watched” list (one of the best movies of 2019, but you know that already). Will certainly get to her other films soon. 

Sciamma is a rad storyteller who creates very multi-dimensional characters — they feel very human. 

Crystel Fournier’s camerawork also — A1 Steak Sauce. Super great. We were hanging out with the kids as if they were our friends, too; and the family scenes in the apartment were framed exquisitely.

Last thing I want to call out is the wholesome love & affection from Laure/Mickaël & Jeanne’s parents. Mom & Dad in this movie are some of the most wholesome and understanding parents, relatively, out there.

Even in their mistakes, they acknowledge they don’t know what they’re doing. They’re trying, though. It’s easier for me to say since I didn’t deal with a situation like our protagonist in this movie, but the parents’ love in this movie really moved me.