"Summer of 85" balances intriguingly but a little too murkily on a fulcrum of unreliable narration, and it becomes impossible to tell whether Ozon means us to take the story at face value or undercutting Alex's own melodramatic pronouncements.

Despite some distracting contrivances, "Summer of 85" transports viewers to a place, time and feeling that feel altogether real, and not nearly as far away as they initially might seem.

It's all predicated on the strength of [Félix Lefebvre and Benjamin Voisin's] performances, and they're really good.

With meticulous aesthetics, evocative use of music, and a sensitivity that avoids excess, the film transforms an intimate story into an unforgettable emotional experience—one that stays with you for a long time. [Full review in Spanish]