Closet Monster

Closet Monster is an intriguing and thought-provoking coming-of-age drama, directed by Stephen Dunn. The movie first premiered at the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival. It features a stand-out performance by Connor Jessup as the protagonist, Oscar Madly, along with supporting roles by Aaron Abrams, Jack Fulton, and Joanne Kelly. Throughout the story, Oscar’s perspective is warped by childhood trauma, his complex relationship with his father, and the struggle with his budding sexuality.

Closet Monster opens with Oscar's childhood - a period marked by a unique blend of effervescent joy and tense domestic life. Oscar grows up in a somewhat broken family, with Aaron Abrams cast as his beleaguered, small-town father, Peter, and Joanne Kelly as his absent mother, Brin. Peter is a complex character - he loves Oscar, but he is also struggling with his own issues, which often makes it hard for him to express love in the way Oscar needs. His homophobia, cultivated from societal norms, augments the emotional turmoil within Oscar.

Oscar's only constant companion is his hamster, Buffy. And in his dreams and thoughts, expertly visualised through Oscar's vibrant imagination, Buffy talks back to him, providing solace and wisdom. Voiced by Isabella Rossellini, Buffy adds a unique touch of magical realism to the narrative, contributing to its fantastical vibes while sinking its roots into Oscar’s inner emotional world.

Jack Fulton skillfully plays young Oscar, reflecting his innocent and curious nature. As the narrative progresses, the protagonist’s role passes onto Connor Jessup. The transition from youth to adolescence brings forth feelings of attraction towards the same sex, more specifically towards his co-worker, Wilder, performed by Aliocha Schneider. Wilder's free-spirited nature and effortless charisma is fascinating to Oscar, creating a whirlpool of emotions he hasn't anticipated to experience or fully understand.

It is important to note that the context of Oscar's growing up isn't easy - it’s marked by a shocking and traumatizing homophobic hate crime witnessed in his youth. This incident lingers on in Oscar's subconscious, amplifying his inner fears about his own burgeoning attractions and sexual identity. It becomes the monster in his closet, an insidious harbinger of his to-be-discovered identity—a gay man.

Stephen Dunn's directorial debut, Closet Monster, is an intimate portrayal of a young man searching for his identity while battling the ghosts of his past. The film merges everyday life with surreal sequences borne out of Oscar's active imagination, thereby creating a delicate mix of realism and fantasy. The storytelling here will likely remind viewers of the defiance and fight often required in the journey towards self-acceptance.

Oscar's passion for makeup and special effects augments the film’s visual cues. Oscar’s imaginative visuals emerge from and return to his artistic endeavors. With each creature and ghoul Oscar creates for his portfolio, he also faces the manifestations of his fears, conflicts, and self-doubts. His artistic exploration becomes symbolic of his search for identity and acceptance.

Set against the backdrop of small-town Newfoundland, the movie captures beautiful landscapes yet depicts the limitations of Oscar's controlled and constrictive environment. Themes of homophobia, societal norms, mental health, and family dynamics are carefully interwoven into the script, creating a multi-layered narrative dealing with sexuality, acceptance, and coming to terms with oneself. The atmospherics of the film contribute significantly to the narrative, reflecting Oscar’s feelings of entrapment and desire for liberation.

Closet Monster creates a layered commentary on struggling with sexual identity in the volatile period of adolescence. The narrative does not shy away from portraying the fear, alienation, and struggles that Oscar experiences. Connor Jessup delivers a poignant performance, making the audience feel deeply for Oscar's angst and hope for his peace.

Though inherently a drama, Closet Monster uses strategic dashes of humor, magical realism, and insightful dialogue to break the potential heaviness of its themes. Isabella Rossellini's brilliantly soothing voice acting as Buffy adds a distinct charm to this film.

In conclusion, Closet Monster is a visually striking, imaginatively told story that explores the challenges of acceptance, the fear of judgment, and the journey towards self-discovery. Using elements of fantasy to articulate the complexity of reality, this film offers an emotionally resonant and unforgettable cinematic experience.