Close to Perfection

An astonishing Belgian film about a shining friendship - and shame

For someone as tired and cynical as me, who thought cinema was washed-up as a medium, this is difficult to say. But here goes.

Lukhas Dhont and Angelo Tijssens' Close (2022) is a flawless film. An instant - yes, I'm going to use that cliche - classic. It is simply... astonishing. It took my breath - and all my clever-swine defences - away. I have never s…