Elliot Page’s return to the big screen in the film “Close to You” has marked a significant chapter in his career and personal journey. The movie, which Page co-wrote with director Dominic Savage, follows the character of Sam, a transgender man who revisits his hometown and encounters complex emotional landscapes, including a reunion with an old love. The film, stripped of traditional scripted dialogue, allowed Page and his co-star Hillary Baack to immerse themselves fully into their roles, relying on improvisation to convey the rawness of their characters’ experiences.
For Page, this role was not just another acting job. It was an experience that brought together the personal and the professional in a deeply transformative way. Page, who came out as transgender in December 2020, found the process of working on “Close to You” to be cathartic. “It was really one of the best experiences I’ve ever had,” Page reflected, emphasizing how the film’s improvisational nature enabled him to inhabit his character in a way that would have been impossible before his transition.
The film explores themes of acceptance, love, and the complexities of returning to one’s roots after undergoing significant personal changes. Page’s portrayal of Sam navigating these intricate dynamics is both poignant and powerful, resonating with audiences who may see their own struggles and triumphs reflected in his journey.
Baack, who plays Sam’s love interest from the past, echoed the sentiment, noting how their characters’ connection is built on shared experiences of being outsiders. Her role, while not centered on her character’s deafness, added another layer of depth to the film, highlighting the universal nature of feeling unseen or misunderstood.
In “Close to You,” the lines between Elliot and his character Sam blur, especially in moments of vulnerability and affirmation. A particularly moving scene in which Sam’s former love expresses pride in how far he has come was, for Page, a profound and unexpected merging of his real life and the narrative he was helping to create. It is in these moments that the film transcends its storyline, offering a genuine exploration of identity and the ongoing journey of self-acceptance.
“Close to You” stands as a testament to Page’s evolution as both an artist and an individual, embodying the freedom and authenticity that have become central to his life since embracing his true self.