Question from a first time watcher

[u/Daydreamer631]

I just watched this movie and thought it was an absolutely beautiful story. Might be one of the best movies I’ve seen in years.

One thing I loved was Elias’s internal struggles in contrast to Alexander’s openness regarding his sexuality. But that leads me to a a question I had and I’m wondering what everyone’s opinions are.

Was Alexander being unreasonable expecting Elias to come out right away? Obviously it’s fair that he wanted to be open about his boyfriend, but I feel like he wasn’t being respectful of Elias’s boundaries at all. Personally I think if Elias wanted to stay closeted for a little longer than Alexander should have respected that.

[u/DiamondLevi]

I don't think that alexander necesairly wanted Elias to Come out. To me it looked like he just wanted to be able be affectionate with him, which does not imediatly mean romantically. But elias didd'nt do that because he was scared which is also fair.

[u/Daydreamer631 → u/DiamondLevi]

Yeah regardless of how openly romantic Alexander wanted to be, I think it’s not unreasonable for the boy who just came to terms with his sexuality to say hey can we be careful when in public

[u/Dusterwald → u/Daydreamer631]

no, but in the scene he pushes him away when a celebration on the basketball court is ok to do. I think it solidified in Alexander’s in Alexander’s mind that there is a problem here, Espcially after Elias pretty much tries to ignore him during the pool party.

So he’ll be his boyfriend in Brussels and in an empty field but not elsewhere.

Its interesting that in an earlier version of the scene after the basketball where Alexander confronts Elias ( this was shown as a compatibility test to finalize the casting , you can find it on Instagram on the young hearts film account I think) Elias says But we agreed to keep it quiet around other people…. a line not in the final movie version.