If the overall effect is a little basic and under-worked, this is still a heartfelt, honest film.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 31, 2020

This is a film with big emotions and swoon-worthy wet hair moments, and it finds unexpected places in the subconscious to settle.

| Original Score: B+ | Aug 31, 2020

Ultimately, the revelation here is not so much Dolan's more contemplative approach to film-making, but the subtlety and sensitivity of his performance.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Aug 30, 2020

The way Dolan chooses to frame things, the visual choices he makes, the way he revels unashamed in the big-ness of the emotions, makes it an entertaining ride.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Aug 28, 2020

Accessible, heartfelt and full of perfect attention to detail, it is one of Dolan's best films yet.

| Original Score: 5/5 | Aug 28, 2020

An attenuated tease, a dreary dance of will-they-or-won't-they romantic provocation.

| Aug 27, 2020

A relatively subtle yet moving entry into the Dolanverse, where explosive love is sublimated beneath the ebb and flow of friendship rhythms, and characters are revealed in tender observational details.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Aug 26, 2020

Xavier Dolan's characters are of such broad definition that it's impossible to regard them as anything other than aesthetic objects.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Aug 23, 2020

It is Dolan's weakness for the music promo aesthetic... that has stood in his way of being a truly great director. Thankfully, there are fewer of those sugar highs in Matthias & Maxime, which displays a more contemplative aspect.

| Aug 20, 2020

Unfortunately, the new film Matthias & Maxime arrives lacking much of the emotional urgency of the Dolan who once captured the international art-house crowd, feeling provincial in more ways than one.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Oct 10, 2019

Xavier Dolan shows a new restraint and romantic tenderness... He breathes fragrant life into a familiar story of unspoken longing.

| Aug 2, 2019

Dolan may not have made his masterpiece yet, but this is more than fine for now.

| Original Score: 4/5 | May 24, 2019

There was a time when I used to wish that Dolan would settle down a little-the manic energy of his work could be exhausting. But if this is the alternative, I take it all back.

| Original Score: C- | May 24, 2019

Matthias & Maxime is filmed all in tightly pressed close-up, faces looming, constantly erupting into furious rows, shouting and shrieking. It's like being at the worst party ever.

| Original Score: 3/5 | May 24, 2019

A poignant and carefully realized drama.

| May 23, 2019

There is such tenderness and gentleness in this film.

| Original Score: 4/5 | May 23, 2019

Reflects the agony and the ecstasy of being young and reckless with such eloquence, and reminds us that Dolan at his best is a sublimely talented artist.

| Original Score: 4/5 | May 23, 2019

The warmth and restraint of Matthias & Maxime is what gives it life.

| May 22, 2019

Dolan's film is so awash in the chaos of these men that it fails to provide a little focus to their blurry lives.

| May 22, 2019

A touching but imbalanced drama starting where "Humpday" ends, and leverages their one shared idea into a true and tender portrait of sad boy self-discovery.

| Original Score: B- | May 22, 2019