Close the Eye to See – Movie Review

Nam and Minh are two design students in a loving relationship. They have built a cozy love nest in a small apartment. The couple leads a simple life, but they seem happy together. They sit down across from each other at a little table and eat a homemade meal. Nam, who prepared the meal, is happy to fill his boyfriends bowl with lots of food. He wants to make sure his boyfriend eats his veggies!

At first, Nam smiles as he watches Minh enjoy the food. But then, the mood changes. Minh stops eating. Nam no longer smiles once he sees his boyfriend's demeanour warp. With food still stuffed in his mouth, Minh's eyes suddenly roll back. He looks like he's about to throw up! Minh spits out the food, as foam comes out of his mouth. Then Minh drops to the floor, as if he's having a seizure. Nam is frozen with fear. He feels helpless. He can't save Minh. Nam's eyes fill with tears as he watches the last drop of life vanish from his boyfriend's body.

Suddenly, Nam's eyes open. He's sitting at the dining table by himself now. Minh is no longer there with him. Although there's a full table of food in front of him, Nam has no appetite. All the food goes untouched. He just sits there and stares into the distance with a dazed expression. Nam is no longer crying, but his eyes are still watery. A young woman, Ngoc, clears the table and washes the dishes. Afterwards, she sits beside him and gently applies medicine to the bruises on his face. Nam doesn't move or react to her. He just looks completely out of it.

Nam's mind drifts to a happier memory. Back when Minh was still around, they liked being goofy together. Minh enjoyed decorating their apartment, and Nam's smile brightens just being around him. But suddenly, he snaps back to reality. Nam is sitting at the desk with a cigarette. He's alone again. Minh is no longer by his side. Nam starts crying because he misses Minh so much. Ngoc watches him quietly from a distance, but she doesn't interfere.

Nam recalls another hazy memory. This time, Minh is getting dressed in the apartment. Based on his outfit, he looks ready for a night out. Nam sits there watching him with a cigarette in his hand, wearing something far more casual. Once Minh finishes getting dressed, he's about to leave the apartment. Nam suddenly stops him and begs him to stay for the night. Minh ignores him. He grabs his jacket and reaches for the door. Nam pulls on his arm to stop him, but Minh yanks himself away. A violent fight breaks out. That's when Nam picks up an ashtray and strikes his boyfriend with it.

Suddenly, Nam's eyes open again. The memory is gone. Minh is no longer here. Nam is alone in his apartment. He lays his head on the desk. The ashtray, which was used as a weapon in the memory, sits right next to him. It's filled with all the cigarettes he has smoked. Ngoc sits down beside Nam and treats his injuries again. He remains motionless the whole time. Even after she finishes applying the medicine, he still doesn't move. His eyes are open, but he almost looks lifeless. Nam seems mentally checked out.

Close the Eye to See is an unusual short movie. Early on, there's no dialogue, so we must follow the story by observing the characters. It begins like a trippy mindfuck. What the hell is happening!? Is that guy still alive!? The confusion is part of the viewing experience, making us ask a lot of questions. Is this scene real? Is it a real memory? Or is it some abstract symbolism? Instead of a straightforward plot, we get fragments here and there. If you wanna understand anything, you gotta pay attention. Put down your phone and focus!

Close the Eye to See is good at keeping the adrenaline going. Here's a sweet moment! Followed by a spooky scene! And now, let's bring out the angst! As the movie jumps between intense emotions, the story feels unpredictable. It's fun not knowing what to expect next. On a rewatch, I appreciate the filmmaking even more. The movie seems chaotic at first, but every scene is carefully placed to build momentum. Instead of being confused, I now understand what each moment represents and symbolizes. Ohhh, so that's what all the weird stuff meant! Close the Eye to See becomes more interesting once you analyze everything afterwards.

I love the movie's eerie atmosphere. It's packed with interesting visuals, and the filmmaker knows how to make everything look creepy. Even though most of the story takes place in a tiny apartment, each scene has a different vibe. The cinematography is artsy as hell. I'm in awe of the shot where cigarette smoke flows between the couple's lips. So stunning! The sharp cuts are also clever. One scene suddenly jumps into another, forcing you to connect the two moments in your head. These transitions make you think back to earlier scenes and notice the thematic parallels.

Nam's actor (Ho Bao Kha) has a killer stare! His expressive eyes can turn a simple look into an intense moment. Since the early scenes barely have dialogue, we're forced to study Nam's face and figure out what he's feeling. Luckily, he has an impressive emotional range. When Nam is happy, you'll believe him. When he's sad, you'll feel that too. Later, the movie throws his character into heavy drama and pushes those emotions to the extreme. Bring on the tears! Bring on the suffering! He handles the explosive moments so well that Nam's pain leaks through the screen.

This movie focuses a lot on the angst, so don't expect a lovey-dovey romance. There are a few steamy scenes, including a make-out session between Nam & Minh. Later, Nam loses his grip on reality and jerks off to a wall while imagining a sex fantasy. Uh, yeah… It's a wild moment, but at least the scene is filmed quite artistically. Despite the physical intimacy, the couple seems unhappy together. Gay cinema sure loves making its couples suffer. Sadly, this is one of those tragic gay films. If you're looking for a fluffy romance, close your eyes and watch something else.

Near the end, the final scenes are charged with emotion. The big twist finally drops, helping us understand why Nam has those gruesome visions of his boyfriend. The last shot is Nam staring into the camera with tears all over his face. Wow, what a haunting image! Once the credits rolled, I let out a giant exhale. Phew! My heart is still beating so fast! Somehow, those thirty minutes felt like I had just lived through a lifetime of trauma. Overall, Close the Eye to See gets my recommendation. The filmmaker has created such an intense, intelligent, and interesting short movie.