Chelsea Alexandra
New love can be intoxicating. It places you under a hazy spell that blinds you. A feeling of ecstasy that takes off like a rocket. Love is a drug. Like any drug, the high wears off and you begin to come down. Reality sets in and you see things for what they are. Yet, we continue to romanticize the idea of someone in hopes that things go back to how they were. We chase it like a high. Why do we allow ourselves to become small for people who cannot provide the love we crave? Something that can start with a feeling of euphoria can become incredibly dark. Behind the backdrop of the Montreal drag scene, Sophie Dupuis’ SOLO tells the story of the desire to be loved even if it means accepting something cold.
Simon (Théodore Pellerin) is a rising star in Montreal’s drag scene. He is beloved by all at his home bar. With the support of his drag family and designer/sister Maude (Alice Moreault), Simon takes the stage as Glory Gore, where he performs weekly numbers to joyful disco hits. Simon takes notice of a new performer, Oliver (Félix Maritaud). Simon ends up falling for him after spending a night together at the club.
Over Sunday Brunch with his family, Simon learns that his estranged mother is coming back into town. Both he and his sister have different opinions on the visit and her reasoning for leaving in the first place. Simon and Oliver get closer as time passes. As their love becomes deeper, their relationship becomes strained by destructive behavior and vying for the spotlight.
Fascinated by human psychology, Dupuis wanted to explore the inner workings of toxic relationships. SOLO does just that. She captures the relationship between Simon and Oliver from the intoxicating highs to showing how their relationship isn’t sustainable and begins to crumble. The relationship between Simon and Oliver is juxtaposed to Simon’s relationship with his mother. Simon wants to love him back in the same way that he gives love. He craves love and support from his mother and looks for it in Oliver. It is the relationship with his mother that paves the way for him to repeat the cycle with Oliver.
The way the two make Simon feel is similar in that he becomes small and less confident. When we are introduced to Simon, he is a force. He is successful in his personal and profession and we see the light begin to flicker out as he becomes consumed by his need to feed these relationships his energy.
SOLO isn’t seeking to make Simon a victim of emotional manipulation and gaslighting. It allows the audience to ask why Simon would need the validation and continue to romanticize these relationships. Unconditional love is intoxicating. It can be the greatest high in life. No matter how much someone continues to disappoint and hurt us, we continuously work to earn their love. We romanticize and place people who hurt us on pedestals in our minds because we want to be loved. The bigger question that the film asks is what draws us to people who are reflections of the people who hurt us.
As Simon, Pellerin is mesmerizing. He takes care of Simon with such love and gentleness. His performance is truly lived in and filled with nuance. You want nothing more than to provide him with the love he seeks. You want to protect Simon from all the pain in the world. Each shift in Simon’s demeanor is subtle and heartbreaking, it’s impactful. When he takes the stage as Simon’s drag persona Glory Gore, he is intoxicating to watch. He draws you in and leaves you begging for more. It is when he is at his highest power, you cannot help but fall in love with Glory Gore.
Drag culture is at the heart of SOLO. Dupuis has a deep admiration for the unsung heroes of the queer community and it reflects in her film. The attention to detail does not go unnoticed, there is an authenticity that seeps through the screen. From the wigs down to the costumes, Dupuis put a great deal of time into the details to honor the Montreal drag scene. Each musical number was well-crafted. It’s a true love letter showcasing the empowerment when performing, but also the hardships that can come along the way. It’s a source of empowerment for Simon, it breaks his heart, and yet a source of solace.
SOLO is a story about relationships. It examines the toxic relationships we will endure to feel love, regardless of if it is sucking the life out of us. The honesty of SOLO is one that some will find heartbreakingly relatable. It celebrates the uplifting empowerment of the drag community and finding love and strength within ourselves to feel free.
