Mein Bruder Leo

I found this film to be a fascinating study of a family in crisis. When Leo, the oldest announces that he is HIV+ the reactions of the family members alone and with each other was touching and yet strange.

I have never seen a family that was as physically demonstrative as this one; nor one as likely to shout at each other. I didn't understand why the family felt that youngest couldn't deal with the news but once past that difficult I found this a thoroughly moving film.

This film is about Leo. The oldest of four brothers who returns home to inform his family that he has aids.

His family is keen to keep this information from his youngest brother (who is 12). Naturally, his young brother hears this conversation and the film mostly follows his brother as he processes and deals with this information.

I found the reactions of most of the characters quite realistic and believable. From Marcel being angry about his family trying to keep everything, to various family members having emotional outbursts.

All in all the film handles its subject matter with a lot more maturity than most films about this subject that are made in places like America or England... particularly given when this film was made.

My main criticism is that it does come to a rather sudden end. Don't get me wrong... the end is conclusive. But it just felt to me like there was more story to be told. In-between the events of most of the film and the rather abrupt conclusion.

There is a lot to like here. The actors are first rate and the script provides good dialog best capturing the ambiance of a tightly knit, likable family. However, for that reason the film does not ring true. We see Leo, who apparently just learned of his HIV positive diagnosis, essentially react in a way that is not in tune to the supportive atmosphere for which he finds himself. As well, the film ends somewhat abruptly avoiding what Leo, his brother and the rest of this close family must have dealt with in light of their love for him. The young actor who plays Leo's brother, Marcel, is impressive as generally is the rest of the cast. Unfortunately, the scriptwriters could not decide onwhether they wanted an insightful dissertation on the effects of HIV on a functional, appealing family or what the devastation HIV is on the victim - so it only hints at both. While this film provides food for thought it leaves the viewer wanting much more than it delivers.

A film about family relations. Simple, honest, touching, direct. Four brothers. A secret changing everything. And a connection who preserves the normality. A profound beautiful film, a profound convincing story. For the manner to use a not ordinary subject in precise and delicate manner. For portrait of Leo and Marcel. For beach, Paris and the talks defining the borders of a relation and nuances of an age. Not different by many other French films about same subject, it is a seductive, bitter film about life. In the inspired manner.

So very touching in it's simplicity. A 20 yr old taking his 12 yr. brother to an adventure that will never ever be repeated. Great actors, a great performance, and Marcel is the brother that would have. Not very movies reduce me to tears, but this was one.