“Solo”
Solo is a touching Canadian movie about the life of Simon, a drag queen from Montreal who struggles with his dreams of becoming a star, his refuge in comedy, and his attempt to fulfill his dysfunctional family and everything that is wrong with him. It moves quickly, Théodore Pellerin is mesmerizing in the lead, and the drag performances as emotional diary entries are a brilliant touch. Solo: A Celebration of Drag Culture and the Unbreakable Human Spirit.
- Director: Sophie Dupuis
- Writer: Sophie Dupuis
- IMDb RATING: 7.2/10
Movie Review: “Solo”
Written & Directed by Sophie DupuisFor her third feature-length outing, Sophie Dupuis here turns her attention to the boisterous spectacle of Montreal drag. By: Ali AlgraHello! Starring the fabulous Théodore Pellerin, with Elvira Lind), the film explores the nuances of love, family, and a never-ending search for identity in the life of Simon, a gifted makeup artist and drag queen.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Theodore Pellerin is the soul of “Solo” as Simon. His performance as the gentle, loving painter who needs love and approval is really powerful. Those sparkling eyes of Pellerin do all the work see it the excitement of Simon the performer or the torment of Simon the lovesick man.
Whirlwind Love Affair
Simon is sucked into a passionate and violent romance when the club welcomes Olivier (brilliantly performed by Félix Maritaud) as a new performer in a romantic relationship. The connection between Pellerin and Maritaud is palpable and their performances fully feel the complex relationship their characters have with each other. Maritaud brings a level of depth to Olivier’s manipulative arrogance that’s some of the best work in the film emotionality-wise.
Screengrab: Simon’s Estranged Mother Comes Back
Simon who appeases the stormy relationship with Olivier, meets his mother returning after fifteen years to play her own life as an opera singer. This is yet another facet of Simon’s emotional journey as we see him yearn for and secure love from not only his lover — Blue — but also his mother when it is all too clear that his father cannot provide the same level of support and affection.
News via Alan — Diary entry drag performances
Where the film shines is how it uses Simon’s drag acts as a window into his own emotions, it is a brilliant pairing! Each set — one feature, duets with Olivier, and a gut-wrenching homage to his mum — would be its diary entry, offering an insight into Simon’s head. These performances do a wonderful job of illustrating the connection between Simon’s heart and his artistry.
Reverence for Drag Culture
At the heart of it, Solo is a love note to drag artistry and drag culture. That the film reveres the craft is obvious in every frame, from the ravishing original designs turned out by costume designer Cédric Quenneville to the infectious club scenes. Yet, Dupuis’ empathetic and thoughtful storytelling captures the ebb and flow of the drag community beautifully, reflecting the perseverance and fervor of its participants.
Riding the Emotional Rollercoaster
Though the script of the film is strong on the whole when it comes to digging deep into Simon’s emotional ride, it falls short at times with its transitions. These sudden transitions from onstage to offstage or from peaks of emotional highs to lows can at times be jarring leaving me a tad confused. React to the rest of the series I know you will })). But those transitions always turn out fine in the end, and the story packs the same punch regardless.
Dupuis and Pellerin Have a Bright Future
“Solo” stands as a showcase of both the talent and vision of Sophie Dupuis and Théodore Pellerin. That kind of ambition and heart makes this film an exciting trailer for what these two artists unleash next. And with each other in tow, they’ll continue to make evocative, emotionally rich works.
In short, “Solo” tells a beautiful and engaging story about who we are, who we long to be, and to whom we are connected. It’s so beautifully acted, so achingly well-shot, and such a loving showcase of drag culture that any appreciator of narrative power and human-as-fuck human resistance will have to watch it.