𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐬 (𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟎)

Heartbeats (Les Amours Imaginaires), directed by Canadian filmmaker Xavier Dolan, tells the story of Francis and Marie, two close friends living in Montreal. Their deep bond is tested when they meet Nicolas, a soft-spoken, androgynously attractive young man with an air of mystery. Both Francis and Marie are immediately drawn to his beauty and charm. They begin to spend more and more time with him, sharing lunches, parties, and long conversations. As their connection to Nicolas deepens, so does the quiet competition between Francis and Marie for his attention.

Though Nicolas never clearly shows romantic interest in either of them, Francis and Marie each interpret his behavior as signs of affection. Their perceptions become increasingly distorted by their growing infatuation. As they vie for his attention—through small gestures, glances, and subtle provocations—their friendship begins to erode. The film explores how easily obsession and fantasy can warp reality, as both Francis and Marie construct idealized versions of Nicolas in their minds, ignoring signs that he may not return their feelings at all.

Dolan uses rich visual aesthetics, slow-motion sequences, and a haunting soundtrack to emphasize the dreamlike quality of desire. Intercut with documentary-style monologues from other heartbroken lovers, Heartbeats presents a universal portrait of longing and emotional vulnerability. As the tension builds, the emotional stakes grow higher. Francis and Marie’s competition reaches a breaking point, and their imagined romances begin to collapse under the weight of unreciprocated love.

Eventually, both Francis and Marie are forced to face the truth—Nicolas was never romantically interested in either of them. Their heartbreak is quiet but profound, and their friendship, though damaged, begins to repair as they realize the folly of their rivalry. The film closes on a melancholic but honest note: desire can be blinding, and the fantasies we create often say more about us than the object of our affection. Heartbeats captures the beauty and pain of young love, and the complex emotions that come with longing for something—or someone—you can’t truly have.