Give "Son Frere" points for being unsentimental and pretty realistic. But that's about it.
Terminal illness is a serious subject, but this French drama treats it too seriously. There's no joy in the film. It's dark and dreary. It quickly becomes wearisome and more than a little dull.
Not that you'd expect such a film to be entertaining or amusing. But, given that it features two of the least interesting characters in recent memory, it's not even all that watchable. (The implications of possible incest between blood relatives are more than a little distasteful.)
The film's title translates as "his brother," and, indeed, the story revolves around the relationship between two adult brothers. They're Thomas (Bruno Todeschini) and Luc (Eric Caravaca), who have become estranged over the years.
They reunite when Luc is diagnosed with a blood disease, which has left him prone to weakness and sudden collapses and which means he could bleed to death if certain things occur.
During his hospitalization and treatment, Luc decides to call his younger brother — to ask him to be there as "moral support." He's also planning to spend their time together working out their differences.
This material offers nothing new. The only element of note is the solemn treatment of the subject matter, and the source material, Philippe Besson's novel. And if the film is any indication of its tone, the book must be a chore to read.
Director Patrice Chereau has his cast whispering their lines in hushed tones, and there seems to be a general level of disinterest, as well as a certain restlessness in some of the performances (especially by actress Nathalie Boutefeu, who plays Thomas' girlfriend).
"Son Frere" is not rated but would probably receive an R for occasional use of strong sexual profanity, full male nudity, brief sexual contact (between two male characters), use of crude slang terms and sexual references, and brief drug content (including an intravenous injection). Running time: 89 minutes.
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