Navigating Home: The Emotional Journey of a Trans Man Returning to his Small Town

Close To Home tells of the return home for trans man Sam (Eliot Page) for the first time since transitioning. His small town home is a train ride from Toronto where he found a supportive network as he transitioned. Sam has decided to accept an invitation to his dad’s birthday. The reticent return home starts out with an unexpected encounter on the train with an old flame. Next the return to the family home starts as a warm reunion with both parents solidly supportive. When there is a pronoun misstep Mum gushes apologies. Dad is an equally stout ally. Despite the mood music being positive Sam encounters coded hostility, followed by a tense exchange. Sam pushes back. An initial mood of understanding turns dark and fractious. The united front of acceptance breaks down and certain family members are unready to fully accept Sam’s new identity.

Meanwhile Sam reconnects with her clandestine school-day’s sweetheart. This rekindling romance is off to a difficult

start because Katherine (Hillary Baack) is married with children. There is plenty to process in this thoughtful telling of a very personal journey - though not autobiographical the film has extra resonance given the star and cowriter is Elliot Page. He is a Hollywood role model after very visibly transitioning and this film is a brave unflinching film which tackles a very personal trans man journey.