The queer coming-of-age romance continues to spread its comforting wings far and wide. In Love Bites, teenage love receives a nuanced examination through the lens of an instant-classic Halloween party setting. The French-language film from writer/director Laméo Flores suggests a layered take and riveting character study rather than an over-sexualized fairy tale. Subtle performances keep us grounded in the charming authenticity. A tender, emotionally raw gay romance wrapped in Halloween lights and heartbreak, Love Bites lingers long after the party ends.
Jumping back and forth between intimate flashback and present-day scheming, Love Bites charts the evolving relationship between semi-closeted Anatole (Roman Freud) and bleeding heart, Liam (Lyad Smain). Mostly, our entryway comes through Liam’s perspective. The duo have been broken up for awhile, but for Liam, the pain remains fresh. Committed to getting a second chance, Liam infiltrates a Facebook group to get an exclusive invite into a Halloween party he has confirmed Anatole will be attending. Perhaps if Liam can orchestrate one final plea for Anatole’s attention, they will be able to repair the fractured way their union concluded.
If only life were so simple. Liam lies his way into the party, claiming to be a cousin of a man named Vincent, and donning a Dracula costume. Flores imbues the film with a fun spooky season energy—everything from Teletubbies to Elvira to Cruella to Frankenstein are brought to life. To complicate matters, a girl threatens to reveal Liam’s true intentions unless he agrees to babysit her ghostly little brother while she goes off to hook up with her boyfriend. Liam truly has no choice but to comply. Young Gabriel (Nathan Haggege) becomes a constant companion as Liam attempts to parse out Anatole’s location.
As Liam pursues Anatole in the present day, we revisit their past over the previous eight months, including their first meeting. Their love is complicated, especially since Anatole appears to be at a different stage of his coming out journey. Anyone who has ever felt affection so deeply yet did not feel it reciprocated in the same manner will be able to relate with poor Liam. In the same breath, we see Liam’s flaws as blankly as they play out. His clingy nature and constant demands for attention may have pushed him away from Anatole. Can they possibly rekindle that energy that once existed between them?
The script remains simple, yet ties in a unique vibe only found in the hallowed halls of a riotous house party. Even the drug trip confessionals are present, despite a surprisingly insightful child along for the ride. Liam’s emotional growth throughout speaks to the strength of Smain’s performance. Despite being an occasionally frustrating presence to follow through to the end, there is still a deeper well of understanding brewing just beneath the aching surface of Liam’s pain. The bond between Liam and Gabriel ends up being the lifeblood, against all odds. Flores also presents many unique directorial flourishes. A key moment near the end involving a keyhole tattoo will be one of the defining images. More mature and tastefully sensual than expected, Love Bites makes a case both for and against experiencing the heartache of young love.
Sink your teeth into Love Bites, on DVD from TLA Releasing on Tuesday, May 20th.
