Saint-Narcisse (2021)

Maybe it's wrong for me to want to see the B-movie director rise to an occasion and have his film transcend to a new level. Maybe that's unfair. Director Bruce LaBruce's newest film keeps all the camp and ripeness of his traditional work while exploring his latest shocking concept. For me some of his underground film making techniques took away from how fascinating the subject could have been. But perhaps it may not have worked if he had grounded his film in a more realistic structure. Maybe it needs the rough edges to get where it's going. 

So to get to the heart of Saint-Narcisse one has to put up with corny melodrama, ham acting, and overly on the nose dialogue ("go fuck YOURself!"). But underneath that there is a fascinating tale of self-obsession, one that in the digital age of dating apps and bathroom selfies is a needed story within queer male communities if not beyond. 

LaBruce's story is of a man who, like the title's namesake, is a bit obsessed with himself, who discovers he has a twin he didn't know about and... well... this is a LaBruce film. Although, to be fair, the moment the brothers have sex is quite tender and sweet. Like some other daring films of this year (Titane, Black Bear) the gimmicky story is an allegory to explore something deeper and there are times within Saint-Narcisse which get there. The film plays with perception a bit, having the main character wake from dreaming enough to make us question what's real and what is in his head. But the idea of being obsessed with ones own beauty, of pursuing sexual contact with similarly presenting partners or perhaps curating our own image to match that we obsess with, is interesting. "I want to fuck the ones I envy." sings Lil Nas X. It's all very fascinating.

And LaBruce titillates provocatively with his usual power. His monk domination sex scenes are both unnerving and exciting.  As I said the moment the brothers come together is explicit but tame. The energy he creates with actor Félix-Antoine Duval playing his own twin has a surprising energy. Some of this is taken away by his B-movie sensibilities that lean towards making the audience giggle more than soak it all in. Still, the film got me thinking about a lot and that in itself is worth it. Even when it is pushing itself too hard like in the scene our hero stares at his reflection in the water just to remind us of the Greek myth informing this tale. He dares, doesn't always hit the target, but makes the attempt glorious in itself. 

Saint-Narcisse

Starring: Félix-Antoine Duval, Tania Kontoyanni, Alexandra Petrachuck and Andreas Apergis

Director: Bruce LaBruce

Writers: Martin Girard, Bruce LaBruce