Little White lies

I assume that many of us have all experienced what might be regarded as an inappropriate or undesirable attraction to another; generally regarded as such because it doesn’t fall neatly within preordained expectations of ourselves in society. Vincent (Benoît Magimel) experiences such an attraction, when he discovers after many years of being in a bonded male relationship with his friend Max (François Cluzet) that not only does he love Max’s hands, but he is in love with him. It’s made quite clear in the film Little White Lies (Guillaume Canot, 2010) that both men are in heterosexual relationships and although Vincent appears comfortable with acknowledging that there is a deeper connection between them, one that might even present itself sexually, Max finds the homosexual tendencies of his friend unbearable and disturbing. The revelation threatens his psychology in a most profound way causing an underlying tension for a two week period when he and a group of his friends holiday together after one of their closest friends was involved in a motorcycle accident. Although I felt troubled by the fact that this group was willing to go on a holiday together, leaving their friend in intensive care, without their assurance or support, I was very much drawn to Vincent who put his emotions on the line by revealing to Max his true feelings, and was sympathetic when Max, fearing that any intimate contact, no matter how brief or superficial with Vincent, might jeopardize his own stable heterosexual identity, rejects Vincent at every turn. Even though attraction, love or a possible sexual liaison between friends and past lovers is a thread that runs throughout this film, it is also about the lies we tell to ourselves and others in order to conceal and protect our emotions and the fragile feelings of others. Little White Lies is listed as a comedy, but I found that the dramatic elements certainly outweighed any humor and I would highly recommend it.