Solo (2023 film)

Solo is a 2023 Canadian romantic drama film, written and directed by Sophie Dupuis.[1] The film stars Théodore Pellerin as Simon, a young emerging drag queen in Montreal who is drawn into a passionate but complicated romance with Olivier (Félix Maritaud), while simultaneously navigating a reunion with his estranged mother Claire (Anne-Marie Cadieux), whom he has not seen since she left Canada 15 years earlier to pursue her career as an opera singer.[2]

Solo
Film poster
Directed bySophie Dupuis
Written bySophie Dupuis
Produced byÉtienne Hansez
Starring
CinematographyMathieu Laverdière
Edited by
Music byCharles Lavoie
Production
company
Bravo Charlie
Distributed byAxia Films
Release date
  • September 10, 2023 (2023-09-10) (TIFF)
Running time
102 minutes
CountryCanada
LanguageFrench

The film's cast also includes Jean Marchand, Vlad Alexis, Tommy Joubert, Alice Moreault and Marc-André Leclair. Its soundtrack includes music by ABBA, Chaka Khan, Marie Davidson, CRi, Donna Summer, Dominique Fils-Aimé, Alma Faye Brooks, Filippin & Runah, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Mitsou.

Production

The film entered production in 2022, under the working title Drag.[3] Dupuis has acknowledged the risk that the film may be controversial in the contemporary political climate around the legitimacy of drag, but has described the film as a "gesture of activism" in defense of the art form.[4]

Dupuis has described her directorial process as one in which she does not present a finished script at the outset, but instead works extensively with her actors to "rehearse a lot and bring new ideas, propose, deconstruct something, maybe brainstorm with me, and we rewrite" before arriving at the final script.[5]

Distribution

The film premiered at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival,[6] and screened as the opening film of the 2023 Quebec City Film Festival,[7] before going into commercial release in September 2023.[1]

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 12 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 8.8/10.[8] Allan Hunter of Screen Daily described the film as containing elements of All About Eve, Opening Night and Passages, writing that "Dupuis is well served by her actors. The female characters generally have less impact but Alice Moreault makes the most of the loyal Maude as she is forced into the role of helpless bystander to her brother’s growing unhappiness. Felix Martaud lends Olivier a light, seductive charm that can always be switched on if it is to his advantage. He also brings the weary air of someone who only wants a relationship on his terms and will suffer neither challenge nor tantrum. Recently seen as Beau’s son in Beau Is Afraid (2023), the prolific Pellerin is perfectly cast as Simon. All windmill arms and wounded heart, his surface confidence as Glory Gore is distinct from the vulnerabilities he reveals as someone unable to believe that he is entirely worthy of love."[9]

Awards

At TIFF, the film won the award for Best Canadian Film.[10]

References
  1. Charles-Henri Ramond, "Solo, en salle le 15 septembre". Films du Québec, May 4, 2023.
  2. Elsa Keslassy, "Queer Romance Drama ‘Solo’ by Canadian Director Sophie Dupuis Boarded by SND". Variety, May 9, 2023.
  3. "Retour sur le tournage de Drag, de Sophie Dupuis". Ici Radio-Canada, April 7, 2022.
  4. "Sophie Dupuis entrevoit de la controverse avec SOLO". Ici Radio-Canada, May 2, 2023.
  5. Pat Mullen, "‘Solo’ at TIFF is a celebratory love letter to Montreal’s drag scene". Xtra Magazine, September 8, 2023.
  6. Anthony D'Alessandro, "TIFF Lineup Unveiled Amid Strikes: Awards Contenders ‘Dumb Money’, ‘The Holdovers’, ‘Rustin’; Starry Pics For Sale With Scarlett Johansson, Kate Winslet, Michael Keaton, Viggo Mortensen & More". Deadline Hollywood, July 24, 2023.
  7. Charles-Henri Ramond, "Solo en ouverture du FCVQ". Films du Québec, August 10, 2023.
  8. "Solo". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  9. Allan Hunter, "‘Solo’: Toronto Review". Screen Daily, September 10, 2023.
  10. Christian Zilko, "American Fiction’ Wins People’s Choice Award at 2023 TIFF (Complete Winners List)". IndieWire, September 17, 2023.
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