Director Goran Stolevski depicts a beautiful story of first love — and first loss — with his sophomore film, “Of an Age,” released in theaters on Feb. 17.

Throughout “Of an Age,” Stolevski does a masterful job of conveying the joy and wonder of a whirlwind romance. Featuring two protagonists at different life stages, the film’s exploration of identity, queer romance and self acceptance provides viewers with a poignant representation of falling in love and subsequently finding yourself.

“Of an Age” tells the story of Kol (Elias Anton), a ballroom dancer and recent high school graduate who severely lacks confidence in himself. A gay man struggling to accept his sexuality, Kol pretends to be someone he isn’t by faking interest in things like reading Kafka and hooking up with women.

Coming from an unsupportive, Serbian immigrant family, Kol finds himself leaning on his best friend and dance partner Ebony (Hattie Hook) for most of his life. An avid party girl, Ebony never does much for Kol aside from getting him into trouble.

The story begins when Kol is forced to miss the final round of a prestigious dance competition in order to rescue a hungover Ebony from an abandoned beach. Ebony insists that her strict mother cannot know her whereabouts and asks Kol to enlist the help of her older brother, Adam (Thom Green).

Adam is a breath of fresh air: mature, charismatic and secure in his identity as an openly gay man. As he and Kol begin the hour-long drive to retrieve Ebony, so begins their love story. Coming off shy and awkward at first, Kol eventually warms up as he begins to feel more comfortable with Adam. Although initially shocked to learn of Adam’s sexuality, Kol assures him that he is progressive and “okay with gay people” — a gross understatement.

Despite the sharp contrast between the two lovers’ personalities, “Of an Age” is hardly character-driven or plot-driven. The real appeal comes from the actors’ performances and the atmosphere created by the film. The film was shot with a smaller aspect ratio creating a sense of intense closeness, both between the two actors as well as between the actors and the audience. The chemistry between Anton and Green is palpable and perfectly captures the vulnerability of falling fearlessly in love.

The first act of the movie is set in the late 90’s and shows the progression of Kol and Adam’s love story. Their romance is fast-tracked since Adam has plans to leave for Argentina the next morning, in order to pursue his PhD, but that doesn’t make it any less beautiful. The two lovers form a strong bond, and Kol falls hard and fast for Adam.

Although Adam is well-versed in the language of love, this is presumably Kol’s first romantic experience, as well as his first queer experience. Although both characters — and the audience — know this relationship won’t last. This fact only adds to the magic, making the short amount of time spent together that much more meaningful.

The second act takes place 11 years into the future. Kol and Adam meet again at Ebony’s wedding, but the reunion is bittersweet and full of heartache. Once again, the film aptly depicts first love as an experience that grabs you and never quite lets go.

One thing to be appreciated about this film is that while the ending is devastating, it doesn’t follow the washed-up tropes of other LGBTQ+ romance movies. Too often, filmmakers give us a beautiful queer romance … and then both characters die! “Of an Age” subverts some of these expectations and delivers a beautifully gut-wrenching romance in a very sincere way.

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