I found this movie to be sad and depressing. I have a had a hard time getting the sadness out of my head. I could not recommend this movie.
Rating: 2 / 5

I recently took notice of David Cubitt’s acting in Medium on NBC and ordered this movie to see more of him. It is such a beautiful film! Even though it was produced on a small budget, the big blockbuster Hollywood studios should take notice – story and acting are the most important parts of a movie, not special effects and high priced actors who merely memorize lines.

Both of the actors were recognized for their efforts with a nomination for Canada’s Genie Awards. Well deserved I can assure you. The movie begins with Theo and Ryan meeting to pay their last respects to their father who just died after a long illness. Theo has just gotten out of rehab – apparently a place he’s been frequently throughout his life. Ryan, in his lawyer suit, has taken care of everything for his Dad, makes a remark to Theo about him being on time – he’s impressed. Ryan is horrified as Theo tries to open the closed casket, “because he wants to make sure he’s in there.” Theo remarks to Ryan, “I bet he doesn’t burn.”

From there, you realize their Dad was a difficult man, who to Theo loved Ryan, but blamed Theo for his mother’s death. Much later in the movie we find out that the mother died giving birth to Theo, and as a result, the father never got over her death and made Theo feel as if he was to blame. Ryan finally tells Theo their mother wasn’t supposed to have any more children after him, but she wanted Theo desperately, which ultimately led to her death. Their Mom was the great love of their Dad’s life, and he never got over her dying – finally, information that would have changed the course of Theo’s life is revealed to him.

Theo is shocked to learn his big brother is gay, a fact he has concealed from their father and him until now. Not only that, his brother is HIV positive and now dying. Ryan reaches out to Theo and tells him he needs him – something even Theo is not sure he can pull off. Theo risies to the occasion of helping coordinate his brother’s care as he loses his battle, even being one of his caretakers as he tries to handle the responsibilities of a new job and his girlfriend before his last rehab stint, who we learn has become pregnant with Theo’s baby since he returned from rehab. Another complication for Theo who is on shaky ground trying to re-enter the world once again.

During this time, Ryan confesses to Theo one night that he has spent so much of his life hating himself – a common thread at last! Theo confesses he has done the same. Shortly before his death, Ryan tells Theo he is the “unhappiest healthy person I know – promise me you’ll be happy”. Even though the movie ends with Ryan’s death, it is not really depressing, because we have watched these two disparate souls come together, rediscover their love for one another, care for each other, and understand their lives finally. Theo seems to ultimately be on his way to being the man he was destined to become.

Each actor gives a fine nuanced performance, and contrary to some other reveiws, I didn’t find it “predictible” or “cliched” in any way. Less is more in the dialogue department when you have actors of this caliber. Merely with their facial expressions and eyes they speak to us all the things that are left unsaid.

The movie also has a beautiful score and perfectly selected background music to accompany these two brothers on their journey. This is one of those lovely movies I can watch over and over and never grow tired of it. I highly recommend this movie to anyone! Buy it today, you won’t be disappointed.
Rating: 5 / 5

I’m starting to write this review during a break as I watch the movie. It’s the first time I’ve tried doing that, but I’m having trouble getting through this one without occasional breaks. That’s not because it’s intense but because it’s bad.

It’s almost painfully tedious and unbelievable, especially when the preternaturally robust dying brother Ryan (Colm Feore) is on screen being tragic and bitchy, self-indulgent and self-pitying. This would have been a much better movie if they’d just left that character out of the story.

He adds nothing but mawkish, maudlin, very irritating melodrama. Maybe somebody decided that if they couldn’t make Ryan believable they’d just make him obnoxious. The problem with that is: Who cares if a spoiled, whining, obnoxious jerk is dying? Not me.

The ONLY thing this character has going for him is the fact that he’s dying, and sorry, but that’s just not enough. Dying doesn’t make anybody special. We’re ALL dying, sooner or later. It doesn’t give anybody the right to expect sympathy while acting like a jerk.

The other two characters, and the actors playing them (David Cubitt as Theo and Chandra West as Sarah), are very much more interesting, and their story, without Ryan’s self-pitying interruptions, could have made a much better movie. But it’s not over yet, and it’s time to hit PLAY again. Maybe something great happens before the end….

Nope. Sorry. This rented turkey goes back tonight!
Rating: 2 / 5