Brother to Brother

References to characters being involved in physical confrontations in the past. A photo shoot features a knife and non-graphic violent imagery. A character is jumped and beaten by a gang of people, resulting in bloody injury.

Kissing, references to sexual acts, innuendo. Caressing and touching over and under clothing. Characters watch pornography. Characters are seen kissing while shirtless. Two characters lie shirtless in bed together after sex. Characters are shown wearing only towels in a bathhouse. Characters have sex under bed covers. One then chases an interloper while naked -- nudity shown from rear. Character alternates between kissing two people on either side of them.

Language includes "f--king," "d--k," "ass," "s--t," "motherf----r," "bulls--t," and "f--k." The "N" word is used. Homophobic slur "f--got."

Characters drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes socially. Two characters are shown to be slightly drunk. A female character smokes in public, rejecting the social convention of the 1920s time period.

Parents need to know that Brother to Brother is a drama about Perry (Anthony Mackie), a young Black man living in New York who is learning about his identity as a gay man. The overall message is positive despite the bigoted attitudes that the main characters often face. Perry makes no attempt to hide his sexuality and often confronts those expressing homophobic attitudes. He also holds strong views about race and politics. A series of flashback scenes involving an older man called Bruce (Roger Robinson and Duane Buotte) serve as a platform for many real-life, important historical figures to discuss their own lives and work. There are frequent discussions about homophobia and racism throughout history, up to and including the present day. Sex is also discussed in depth, both in Perry's life in present-day New York and in the flashbacks to Bruce's youth. Couples are shown in bed together and in one case having sex. Characters are seen shirtless, only wearing towels, and nude from behind after sex. Violence rarely features, but there is one scene where a character is jumped, beaten, and verbally assaulted for being gay. Blood trickles from his mouth after the attack, but he isn't seriously injured. Strong language, usually expressed in anger or frustration, includes "s--t," "d--k," and variants of "f--k." The "N" word is also used, as is the homophobic slur "f--got." There is some drinking and smoking, with two characters shown to be slightly drunk and unsteady on their feet.

To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.