Hold Me Tight

Hold Me Tight is a compelling drama and beautiful cinematic experience about a mother who tries to stay close to her family by leaving them. In Hold Me Tight, Vicky Krieps (Phantom Thread, Bergman Island) gives another riveting performance as Clarisse, a woman on the run from her family for reasons that aren’t immediately clear. Widely renowned as one of France’s great contemporary actors but less well-known in North America for his impressive work behind the camera, Mathieu Amalric’s sixth feature as director is his most ambitious to date. This virtuosic, daringly fluid portrait of a woman in crisis alternates between Clarisse’s adventures on the road and scenes of her abandoned husband Marc (Arieh Worthalter) as he struggles to take care of their children at home. Amalric’s film keeps viewers uncertain as to the reality of what they’re seeing until the final moments of this moving, unpredictable, and richly rewarding family drama. [2022, France, 97 min, Rating: NR, in French with English subtitles] Brian Tallerico of the RogerEbert.com exclaims, “One of the best films of the year.” Justin Chang of the Los Angeles Times pens, “Piercing. An emotional journey of a film…built for repeat views. Amalric has a deft touch with surprises. Venue: Cinema Art Theater. Presenter: Rehoboth Beach Film Society.