Lie with Me

An author returns to Cognac after decades to help promote a distillery. In a town that still smells of oak and alcohol, he crosses paths with Lucas, the son of his long ago first love. The encounter jolts a flood of memories, from youthful longing to a powerful, almost irrepressible pull. He recalls a romance that began when he and his beloved were seventeen, the kind of heat that lingers in the spine and in the breath. The visit becomes a reckoning as past feelings collide with the present, forcing him to confront what he left behind. His visit forces him to confront a version of himself he left behind. Memory blurs with truth as he weighs past and present.

Directed by Olivier Peyon, Lie with Me adapts Philippe Besson's celebrated novel for the screen. It stars Guillaume de Tonquédec, Victor Belmondo, and Guilaine Londez, delivering a restrained, intimate drama. The film premiered in 2023 with a budget of about 2.1 million dollars. The cast delivers nuanced, grounded performances. It aims for a measured pace and strong performances.

Worldwide box office reached about 636,052 dollars, a modest return against the film's 2.1 million dollar budget and its limited release, with limited reach outside French markets.

As of now, Lie with Me has not garnered major nominations from leading awards bodies. Critics have praised performances and the film's understated treatment of memory and desire, though it has not secured prominent prizes at major festivals or ceremonies. While not a prize winner, it found some appreciation among readers of Besson's work.

Reception centers on how the film handles memory and desire without melodrama. The narrative looks at aging, choices, and how a first love keeps shaping identity and longing. Quiet, precise performances give the story emotional resonance without sensationalism. The tone remains intimate and disciplined.