“Turtles”

With every long-term relationship comes a period of turbulence, and “Turtles” lends an authentic look at the complexities that arise when two people have chosen to spend decades of their lives together. Writer / director David Lambert’s emotionally charged drama offers an affecting portrait of a marriage on the brink, a relationship movie about an impending divorce between a couple who are ready to move on, but just can’t live without each other.  

It was 35 years ago when Thom (Dave Johns) and Henri (Olivier Gourmet) met each other, and their love has never waned. They lived the perfect life in Brussels, but things started to go South once Henri retired from his job as a police officer. Bored with the seemingly endless days with no job to keep him busy, Henri suffers from a severe case of ennui. Trapped in a bland, boring existence, his feelings for Thom are fading fast. The men drift away from each other, which causes a bitter resentment that often results in blow-up arguments. Thom still loves Henri with all his heart and, unwilling to give up on their marriage, does everything he can to rekindle the passion – even if that means granting a divorce.  

The film offers an unflinching portrayal of love in its most rough yet innocent form, presenting the reality of Thom and Henri’s relationship. It’s a multilayered union of companionship, bitterness, and unspoken desires that have grown over the years, finally reaching their boiling point. It’s heartbreaking to watch them unravel, but it also feels very, very real.  

“Turtles” is a film about the reciprocal nature of love and the beautiful complexities that make it all worthwhile. Love is messy, imperfect, and always worth it in the end.

By: Louisa Moore