Brother to Brother
By Alistair Lawrence,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Bold, positive LGBTQ+ drama has sex, homophobia, language.

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What's the Story?
In BROTHER TO BROTHER, when Perry (Anthony Mackie), a gay teenager, is thrown out of his home by his parents due to his sexuality, he finds himself in a homeless shelter in New York. There he meets Bruce (Roger Robinson), an elderly man who lived through the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and 1930s. The two form a bond of friendship as they exchange experiences about being both Black and gay in the city.
Is It Any Good?
Despite its modest budget, this honorable drama that fearlessly portrays the lives of gay African American men through two different eras has become something of a cult favorite. An early leading role for Mackie centers Brother to Brother around central character Perry's internal and external conflicts, as he tries to come to terms with how he thinks and feels about the world's injustices and to learn more about them.
Not all of the cast can match Mackie's ability to turn what at times can feel like a lecture into something compelling. But the movie's attempt to educate its audience more about the Harlem Renaissance is admirable. Likewise, its unflinching examination of the homophobia that exists within Black communities allows Mackie to deliver some of its most effective moments. Unfortunately, the rest of the story struggles to sustain itself at times, while the ending is both sudden and predictable. That said, writer-director Rodney Evans rightly received praise for the intent and ambition of this, his debut feature.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the messages around sexual identity in Brother to Brother. How did Perry and Bruce's experiences compare to each other? What were the differences and similarities? Do you think people's attitudes toward being gay have changed over time? Why is it important to see movies with queer characters in them?
How was sex portrayed in the movie? Was it affectionate? Respectful? Did the relationship between Perry and Jim play out as you expected? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
Discuss the strong language used. Did it seem necessary, or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie? How did some of the language make you feel when you heard it?
How did the homophobia that Perry experienced inform his attitude toward history and race? What can be done to counter homophobic attitudes in society?
Discuss the Harlem Renaissance. How much did you know about this period of American history? Did the movie make you interested in finding out more?
Movie Details
- In theaters: November 5, 2004
- On DVD or streaming: June 14, 2005
- Cast: Anthony Mackie, Roger Robinson, Duane Boutte
- Director: Rodney Evans
- Inclusion Information: Black directors, Black actors
- Studio: Wolfe Releasing
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: History
- Character Strengths: Curiosity, Empathy, Integrity
- Run time: 94 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: October 8, 2022
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