Brother to Brother

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Brother to Brother
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
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.
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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
- Studio: Wolfe Releasing
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: History
- Character Strengths: Curiosity, Empathy, Integrity
- Run time: 94 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: March 31, 2022
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