BLISS RATING: ★★★★★
“Maybe our together isn’t the same as your together or the normal sort of together, but it’s ours and we are happy with it.” – Quote from Heartstopper Forever
Indeed, this movie is such a fitting end to the Heartstopper saga. It pays tribute to the cast of characters that we have grown to love and admire. Mainly concentrating on Charlie (Joe Locke) and Nick (Kit Conner) and their ongoing relationship, it smartly and adequately addresses the dilemma of what will happen to each as they enter their last year of high school. Given that each has internal struggles that they face, it wisely addressed those issues head-on without artificiality or Pollyanna approaches to fixing it.
At times it was hard to define what really were the issues between them, which was as it should be. At their age, everything is a problem and each of their ongoing internal issues that they struggle with are what each believed is the cause of why their relationship will not work out. It is all centered on fears, doubts, and miscommunications, or lack of communication. While they see their love as eternal, they are looking only through the prism of youthful rose-colored glasses. When one takes off the glasses, one sees oneself unfiltered – weak, vulnerable, unworthy, and unbearable. How could anyone love and accept someone with all these issues?
Their solution is more of a journey to rediscover who they are as unique individuals. Charlie and Nick do have something special. Although young, their love feels different and is manifested uniquely. They begin to envision each other as life partners. Growing old – together. A thought that is both daunting and scary especially for two who are so young. Are they soulmates? That is a question for philosophers to answer except both project a feeling of belonging together. Their intimacy is not driven merely by desire; it comes from seeing each other as true partners, where sexual closeness feels meaningful only with one another. Their bond is deeply centered in each other, if that makes sense. For them, sex is a fulfillment of who they are as a couple; to be enjoyed and partaken in as their form of love.
Who really S.T.O.L.E. this movie? Let us pay homage to the committed supporting cast members, who along with the protagonists, matured and grew up with the story. They have all changed – seasoned if you will. Some in once that were solid relationships know that it is time for them to move on to explore the world. Others have literally found others but have remained friends. Yet, as Tao, portrayed by William Gao, so bittersweetly states on their graduation night, that somehow in some way the love they have for each other will remain with them and will in a fashion bind them together. A noble and beautiful sentiment. When I graduated, we used to state ‘RMA’ which means ‘remember me always’. (In almost all cases, we did not). In any event, what they have put asunder from high school as they cross over into adulthood, most looked forward to new journeys going down different paths. Which is at it ought to be. None took center stage, which is the way it should be; yet each deserved some clear message that their lives will move on. However, the two that do deserve some distinction are the two teachers that had a great deal of influence over the gaggle of individuals in this series. Mr. Ajayi played by Fisayo Akinade and Mr. Farouk played by Nima Teleghani. These two teachers came into their own in this latest movie. They acknowledged openly to the students graduating that they were in a relationship and the ‘rumors’ about them were true. This was a nice and befitting acknowledgement for these two men as they will be in a better position to help future gay students to deal openly and hopefully more effectively with who they are.
While not exactly a maudlin story, it is bittersweet and deeply, deeply reflective. It indeed had an end feel about it. We see, especially in our protagonists, the beginning stages of ‘growing up’. Are they right for each other? Is this nothing more than a teenage fling? Will life’s journeys lead them apart? Will their love be strong enough to weather being apart from each other? What will the future really hold for them? These are all legitimate questions to be asked about their relationship. What is unique and perhaps different is that despite all their fears and anxieties, Nick and Charlie are going to make an effort to be together. That is a noble effort and one taken with the purist intentions. Overall, the movie is a wistful reflection of everything about Charlie and Nick and their friends. Some blossomed into new deeper personas while others took a quieter more reflective approach to who they are. We see Charlie and Nick in a lot of pain. Not all of it is clearly understood. But then again, what is clearly understood when you are a teenager and facing the loss of your foundation of support. Some see that as challenging while others see it as scary. It is the nature of life.
That is what Charlie and Nick gave us. A reflection of their life. And I simply enjoyed looking back at them exactly how far they came and where they were. I think this is a realistic way to end their story. With commencing new chapters for all of them. What will their lives be? Who knows.
Did you when you began yours?
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