Sixteen years ago, Elliot Page burst onto the scene at the Toronto International Film Festival as the breakout star in Jason Reitman’s Oscar-nominated comedy, “Juno.” Fast-forward to 2023, and the actor has returned to TIFF, this time for his latest film, “Close to You” — Page’s first starring role since publicly coming out as transgender in 2020.
The director of the movie, Dominic Savage, emphasized that the film is closely tied to Page’s personal journey. “This film was created with Elliot, for Elliot, and because of Elliot,” said the filmmaker in anticipation of “Close to You’s” world premiere at TIFF, which was attended by Yahoo Entertainment.
Page himself graced the premiere, standing out as one of the few actors to walk the TIFF red carpet amid the concurrent strikes by the Writer’s Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild. Thanks to an independent production status, “Close to You” qualified for an interim agreement with SAG-AFTRA, enabling Page to participate in the festival. Following the screening, Page took the stage to a warm reception, describing the film as “one of the most incredible experiences of my career.”
In “Close to You,” Page assumes the role of Sam, who returns to his hometown of Cobourg, Ontario, for his father’s birthday after four years in Toronto. This homecoming is far from simple, as Sam has battled depression throughout most of his adolescence and has since found happiness as a trans man. Yet, his family grapples with his transformation, evident from the moment he steps through the front door. His mother mistakenly misgenders him, his older sister admits to feeling like she doesn’t know him anymore, and his brother-in-law makes prejudiced comments with reluctant apologies.
Amidst these challenges, Sam experiences moments of love and joy. Both his parents fully support his transition and express pride in his authenticity. Sam also rekindles a connection with his high school crush, Katherine (Hillary Baack), igniting emotions long buried within both of them. Katherine, in particular, recognizes Sam for the person he has always been. “You look so good,” she tells him, to which Sam responds, “It’s good to look in the mirror and go, ‘There’s that guy. I was wondering where he was.'”
Page explained that the relationship between Sam and Katherine served as the starting point for discussions with Savage. “Initially, it was about reconnecting with someone from your past — that was the spark that interested us,” Page recalled. “Then it evolved into the family dynamic. That journey, the complexities, and the nuanced aspects of those family relationships became a significant part of the story.”
Page also disclosed that “Close to You” was entirely improvised, which initially worried him. “I was so nervous before starting this,” admitted the actor, noting that some scenes lasted up to 50 minutes as the cast spontaneously created their dialogue. “I thought, ‘I can’t improvise!’ It was nerve-wracking, but then we started, and you disappear.”
In an interview with Variety before the film’s world premiere, Page discussed how his own experience as a trans man informed Sam’s character. “If someone misgenders me, I don’t take it personally,” he remarked, referencing a scene where Sam’s mother uses incorrect pronouns. “When someone apologizes, that’s great. But let’s move forward in our interaction. Let’s progress before it becomes about the person who made the mistake and turns into something bigger. These things take a moment. It’s all good.”
“Close to You” also showcases Page’s first romantic scene as a leading man, featuring several shirtless moments revealing scars from his chest masculinization surgery. Reflecting on the experience, Page told Entertainment Weekly, “On the day of shooting, getting out of bed and dressing, it felt natural to have him sleep shirtless. Showing a character who is comfortable, present, and waking up in his body means a lot to me. I never thought I’d feel this way, so it’s nice to be able to act it.”
Addressing an enthusiastic audience after the world premiere of “Close to You,” Page expressed eagerness for more opportunities to expand his acting horizons. “I’d love to work with Dominic again,” the actor said, praising the director’s improvisational approach. “It’s the purest joy of acting — the scene continues and deepens.”
