‘Come Closer’ Review: The Real-Life Death of a Brother Fuels a Surprising and Redemptive Take on Grief

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Six years back, Ari Nesher, the 17-year-old son of Israeli filmmaker Avi Nesher, tragically lost his life in a hit-and-run incident whilst riding an electric bike. This occurred on his birthday. The event gained global attention not just because the deceased was a budding artistic talent with multiple short films under his belt and the child of a well-known figure, but also due to the prominence of the suspected driver. Reports suggested that a soccer star from the Premier League was taken into custody and faced trial for the incident, though he never received a manslaughter conviction.

Tom Nesher’s fresh, contemporary, and thought-provoking first film, “Come Closer,” tackles a heartbreaking incident in an unexpected manner. Instead of depicting a bike accident resulting in injury or death, the film introduces us to the charming character of Nati (Ido Tako), who fortunately avoids that mishap. However, this fortunate escape leads him to be kidnapped by his friends and taken to the beach for an impromptu birthday celebration, organized by a captivating woman with fiery red hair and eyes adorned with shimmering hues of color near the inner corners.

viewers might not initially identify Eden, who exudes sensuality and allure, as the character’s sister due to their overly familiar dynamics that seem more fitting for lovers rather than siblings, yet they are incredibly close, almost like twins. The evening of merriment concludes abruptly, leaving a slightly intoxicated Nati to wander off into the night, only to be hit by a car while crossing the road. This tragic loss leaves an immediate and profound emptiness.

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Eden, with her sultry demeanor, might not be immediately recognized as the character’s sister because their relationship seems too affectionate for siblings but not quite right for lovers, yet they are remarkably similar, almost like twins. The festivities come to an abrupt end, and a slightly tipsy Nati slips away into the night, only to meet an untimely end when struck by a car while crossing the road. This sudden death creates a profound void that is immediately felt.

The movie starts off harshly: saving the boy’s life, then taking it away moments later. However, it’s significant to mention that the writer-director Tom Nesher doesn’t pursue the driver or seek justice afterwards. Instead, the film “Come Closer” ventures into uncharted territories, exploring Eden’s mind and her attempts to cope with her loss in ways that only the director herself could imagine.

For a while in the movie, the director portrays Eden behaving erratically, donning her late brother’s garments and secretly going to nightclubs, hoping that the music would drown out her sorrow. However, what she sees instead is Nati dancing opposite her, his figure flickering amidst the flashing lights from the strobe lights. To put it plainly, Eden can’t shake off the recollection of Nati, and matters worsen when her partner (Yaakov Zada-Daniel, portraying a married man expecting a child) is unable to offer comfort during her difficult times.

Afterward, a crucial revelation unfolds in the movie: Eden scrutinizes her brother’s social media profiles and finds out that he had been dating a girl named Maya, who was not known by the family. This 16-year-old (played by Daria Rosen) is shy and not particularly striking in appearance. However, it transpires that Maya was the one Nati was secretly messaging the night of his demise, hinting at a possible guilt on both their parts regarding the incident. Any animosity between them remains unsaid until the film’s dramatic ending, which pushes their feelings to an unexpected and alarming level.

Throughout the journey, Nesher portrays a unique and thought-provoking personal journey, as Eden strives to bridge as closely as possible to her brother’s cherished girlfriend, even venturing into unexplored queer realms. Initially, it’s challenging for Eden to accept that Nati could have formed such a deep bond with anyone else – especially someone so conventional – as this seems to contradict their childhood promise, forged during their parents’ divorce, which declared their relationship as the top priority.

Initially, Eden’s interest turns into something more significant as she mentors the young Maya. However, age doesn’t automatically equate to maturity for Eden. The movie effectively portrays Eden’s on-screen character as both a charismatic “it girl” and a flawed emotional wreck. (It’s worth noting that Nesher appears oblivious to the self-centered character’s privilege, instead highlighting the numerous injustices she faces.)

In the role of Elalouf as Eden, there is a strong resemblance: Her captivating eye makeup shines brightly like a beacon, evoking an early Gwyneth Paltrow essence combined with the vivacious, unpredictable energy of a youthful Angelina Jolie (remembering her days in “Playing by Heart”). Maya refers to Eden’s palpable charm as a “sparkle” – it seems this quality was shared by Nati too. This charisma is hard to miss, or else one might question why Maya, who was on the verge of marrying Eden’s brother, would be drawn into such a disruptive and passionate attraction towards her sister?

While some elements of ‘Come Closer’ might seem simplistic, it effectively counterbalances this with a modern perspective on its youthful protagonists, whose relationship isn’t limited by traditional labels. This film diverges from typical queer narratives, as the central question of whether the two female characters are ‘gay’ is irrelevant. Instead, Eden and Maya’s connection serves as their attempt to connect with the missing Nati, each taking on a role that represents him. Their shared endeavor, though ultimately futile, offers an intriguing exploration.

Throughout her creative process, Nesher emerges as a fresh, intriguing talent (recently recognized as one of EbMaster’s Directors to Watch), offering innovative perspectives on blending music and visuals to immerse us in the Millennial era. The movie initiates by jumping across tracks from an unimpressive playlist, yet develops a distinctive audio profile as it unfolds, culminating in a heartfelt, powerful cry. This voyage offers a truly healing experience for both Nesher and viewers, without ever appearing like therapy through the art of filmmaking.

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2025-01-20 19:47