The Perfect Son

Running time: N/A

The complexity of relationships, the trials of family and the true meaning of life are all themes at the heart of Leonard Farlinger's first feature film, The Perfect Son --a tremendously potent, and often heart wrenching, look at the lives of Theo and Ryan, brothers who must reconcile their past. Striving to put his life back together (and fresh out of rehab), Theo returns home to attend his father's funeral. Theo has avoided his family for years but, out of responsibility, is reunited with Ryan, the much more stable, over-achieving brother--which has made Ryan the kind of older brother that's always been easy to hate . . . until now. Ryan is gay and dying of AIDS, a secret he's been keeping from his brother since his return. After Theo's discovery, all of their boundaries disappear. Ryan is no longer the annoying, conservative lawyer Theo believed him to be. Theo is no longer the black sheep of the family. Although both have come a long way, their journey together is just beginning. Filled with unexpected humor, The Perfect Son is one of those rare films that evoke honesty and adeptly reveal an understanding of the human heart. Led by two outstanding and highly charismatic actors, especially Colm Feore (Titus, The Insider), the film is a sparkling and very mature debut from a young director. --Mike Rabehl