North Sea Texas captures the joy and turmoil without confining the characters to a bubble, and the results are quietly magnificent.

| May 8, 2023

Defurne's sumptuously photographed setting resembles some seaside Oz. Particularly striking is the Texas roadhouse bar from which the film derives its geographically paradoxical title.

| Jun 9, 2020

The beauty of North Sea Texas lies in its simplicity. The film is beautifully shot and brilliantly acted, especially by Jelle Florizoone, Eva van der Gucht and Katelijne Damen who deliver outstanding performances.

| Sep 15, 2019

North Sea Texas' production and costume design are notable and add a sense of kitsch, retro style to the overall film... This is all enhanced by the skilful cinematography of Anton Mertens.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 23, 2018

There's a chilly, wistful and rather matter-of-fact tone to the proceedings and this helps separate the rather run-of-the-mill aspects of the plot from the herd of teenager-in-love movies.

| Jun 27, 2014

Thematically, this Dutsch tale of coming of age and first love is extremely familar. but it's sincerely treated and well acted by the two central boys.

| Original Score: B | Feb 22, 2013

This debut feature by noted short-film director Bavo Defurne emphasizes ambiance over storytelling, but that ambiance is so flavorsome you might not mind.

| Feb 15, 2013

It's not just that film is underdeveloped - it's that it feels unwilling to develop, preferring to leave its characters and plot points static. The result feels stunted.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Feb 14, 2013

A reasonably realistic slice of lower-middle-class European life with a repressed protagonist named Pim.

Full Review | Dec 20, 2012

It's a story that's been told countless times, but first-time director Bavo Defurne has such an assured hand and visual flair (much credit also belongs to cinematographer Anton Mertens) that everything seems fresh and new.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Dec 7, 2012

Splendidly acted, especially by Florizoone, whose every thought appears to register on his wide-open features, it's more than promising.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Dec 6, 2012

A small but quite lovely and wonderful film, gorgeous to look at, which tackles an age-old subject with radiant freshness.

| Nov 5, 2012

"North Sea Texas" explores emergent sexuality and first love with a refreshing optimism.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Nov 1, 2012

A simmering drama powered by fully drawn characters and fine performances.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Nov 1, 2012

A soulful, slightly hyperreal comedy ...

| Nov 1, 2012

In the annals of gay cinema about growing up, "North Sea Texas" is, regrettably, an unoriginal and rather disposable take on a subject that's been done much better in the past.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Nov 1, 2012

Once the visual touches fade away ... there's nothing to stop the parade of clichs.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Oct 31, 2012

The film succeeds in creating a dense atmospheric feel and avoids generic tropes, but it does so somewhat at the neglect of its characters and narrative.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Oct 30, 2012

Any sympathy for these characters and their lives dissipates quickly on reaching scenes filled with cliched symbolism, like the burning of treasured possessions on a beach and running into the sea in an emotional outburst

| Original Score: 2/5 | Apr 18, 2012

Beautifully directed, emotionally engaging coming-of-age drama with a sharp script, a strong sense of time and place and terrific performances from its entire cast.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Apr 14, 2012