Solo (2023)

The rush of a new love turns sour for young drag queen Simon, whilst also dealing with the return of his absent mother, in writer-director Sophie Dupuis’s excellent drama Solo.

Looking for Fireworks

by Chris Drew

Solo
0.0 out of 5.0 stars

CAUTION: Here be spoilers

Simon (Théodore Pellerin, Beau is Afraid, Never Rarely Sometimes Always) is a confident and passionate young drag artist performing at a Montreal club. When new performer Olivier (Felix Maritaud, Sauvage) arrives sparks soon fly between the two on a night out.

Soon Simon is joyfully gushing about his new beau to his supportive sister Maude (Alice Moreault, Saint-Narcisse) who acts as a sounding board for Simon’s drag routines and creates costumes for him.

When the siblings learn of the imminent visit of their absent opera singer mother Claire (Anne-Marie Cadieux, The Confessional), Simon’s excitement contrasts strongly with Maude’s distress.

Simon organises to meet Claire where she is performing but, crushingly, overhears her casually blowing him off to continue her rehearsal. Later, when they do meet, she only gives him a few minutes before rushing to a dinner with important delegates.

Simon’s and Olivier’s relationship develops quickly, with Olivier soon invited to the family brunch and the pair collaborating on frequent performances together, but rapidly red flags start to appear.

Olivier starts taking credit for Simon’s latest routines and success, tells him the colour of his favourite top does not suit him and then isolates Simon from his family by stopping him going to the traditional weekly meal and blocking Maude from collaborating with him.

Arguments and disagreements start with Olivier, continually making Simon feel like they are his fault. This takes its toll on Simon as he gradually becomes pale and withdrawn. Maude expresses concern saying she misses her brother.

Olivier’s gaslighting reaches a crescendo at the club by claiming Simon made a drunk observation that Frida (Jean Marchand, It’s Your Turn, Laura) was too old to be performing. Simon is left shattered and uncertain if he had made the disparaging comment.

Things come when Claire makes her appearance at the club. Simon is hurt when the dress Maude had created for him is worn by Eduard (Vlad Alexis, Lune) before his opera-themed performance, in tribute to his mother, could not fall flatter with the audience.

Outside, after the show, Simon and Olivier have a climatic final row with Simon finally pushed to say he never wants to see Olivier again, although even then he doubts himself after the painful declaration.

Simon’s story is given a hopeful and positive resolution as with him back collaborating with Maude and confidentially performing a solo number in the final scene.

Writer-director Dupuis creates a lovely sense of drag community backstage in the dressing room, including a tradition of the performers singing ‘I’m Every Woman’ before the performances start.

In his third film for the director, Pellerin gives a riveting performance as Simon. He nails the anguish and emotional turmoil Simon is put through with both Olivier and his mother. Pellerin also looks beautiful in drag and really convinces as a performer.

The make-up and costuming throughout the film are excellent and there is a terrific use of music beginning with starting with Abba’s ‘Voulez-Vous’ in the opening scene.

Pellerin has great sibling chemistry with Moreault as Maude. She’s fiercely loyal and her concern for Simon is very moving.

As the two catalysts drama and trauma in Simon’s life, both Maritaud and Cadieux give strong performances; Olivier subtly turning into a destructive and controlling force in Simon’s life and Claire as the haughty, distant and self-absorbed mother more focussed on her career than her children.

Solo is an enjoyable and meaningful film about the danger of toxic relationships, the complex nature of family relationships and the importance of being true to yourself.