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Amos Lassen wrote on 02/14/2011:

“Harry and Max”
Brotherly Love
Amos Lassen
There has been a great deal said about “Harry and Max” (TLA Releasing) because of its controversial story line—two brothers in love---but I want to add my opinion to some of the issues raised. Let me start off by saying that the movie is not bad and it is not good but it could have been either. Harry is Max’s brother and seven years his senior and both boys are involved with music. On a camping trip to the mountains the two discuss their feelings and this is exactly what the movie is about—dealing with feelings and self acceptance. The two brothers are in love and do not know how to deal with it.
The film is intense—deeply so and it is extremely insightful as it looks at fraternal love and romance and the limits we place on ourselves and the ones we ultimately meet. It is a small film and one that I am amazed was ever made. The main theme of brotherly incestuous love never seems to be completely fulfilled and I found myself with many questions after watching the movie.
Bryce Johnson is Harry and Cole Williams is Max. (Remember Paul Williams who wrote all those songs for the Carpenters? Cole is his son.) They are totally engaging but hard to believe as brothers in love even though they are quite good actors. What we see s indeed thought provoking. Max admits freely that he is gay and he does not hide that he loves Harry, his brother—both romantically and fraternally. It appears that Harry feels the same way but knows that this is wrong. He cannot bring himself to commit—neither brother really can.
Through various attempts to have sexual relations with other people, the guys remain in love with each other but the results prove disastrous for them and whatever the message of this movie seems to be, it is lost because the script wanders and does not really face the issue head on. Much of the movie is realistic but the problem here is that references are made to incidents in the brothers’ past that we, as viewers, are not let into. References are vague and the only hint that we see fulfilled is a time when the guys actually made love while on vacation. Yet much of the background information is not included in the film and many times we are left hanging. The one issue that bothered me the most was to watch how hard Max pushed to maintain a relationship with his brother yet finds another male lover with whom he is completely satisfied.
This is a very different kind of movie as it looks at love and affection in a way most of us are uncomfortable with. But on the plus side I must say that the chemistry between the actors is wonderful and the subject of incest is compelling and convincing. There are problems with continuity in the film and it depends a little too much on narration and not enough on action. The final sequence is not only disappointing but it just doesn’t seem to fit.
The movie is not just about brotherly incest. It looks at a relationship that is more extensive than incest and this relationship portrays the contradictions and complexities of most familial relationships. Harry and Max have a mysterious relationship; we do not see them as friends and their connection, although somewhat strong sexually, is delicate otherwise.
The main action takes place when the two boys set out on their camping trip and Harry is twenty-three and Max is sixteen. The bond between the two had always been close and there had once been incestuous sex. Max wants it to happen again but Harry refuses and frustration ensues. The real irony here is that Max, the younger, is the more focused and responsible brother and Harry, the workaholic and once alcoholic, is deceitful and reckless.
The script for the movie is intelligent and clever even with the pronounced omissions and I loved the performances. The ending, again, does not satisfy and takes us by surprise. But the final scene does show the evolving nature of love and how we must constantly re-evaluate the definition. The movie, all in all, is touching and while it is not the movie it could have been is an effort not likely forgotten.

Kornula wrote on 12/26/2010:

The only redeeming factor to this snorefest are the lead actors looks. I suspect they are decent enough actors who were misdirected by a dull witted writer/director. I found myself fast forwarding through more than half the endless expository, unimaginative dialogue.

Harry comes across as shallow and self absorbed even towards the end... which went nowhere. There was little or no self struggle for ANY of the dull characters. just a whole lot of angsty dialogue. The only real tension came from the very few awkward moments when other characters came into their lives - for all of 5 minutes total out of the whole film. Those small moments of forced awkwardness were filled with dull, lifeless expository dialogue which seemed to be waiting for those awkward moments.

Great story concept. The script needs 10 more rewrites before they even started shooting. who Shelled out $$ for this crap anyway?

This is a snorefest which TLA should remove every single copy of from their warehouse.

Janorm wrote on 02/27/2008:

The story line is an absolutely farsical scream about the attraction of two brothers to one another. All of this is centered around a boy band and a whole host of unforgetable characters.

Duane wrote on 09/01/2006:

This is a truly sweet film. Gently paced, but paced appropriately to gentle the audience into the complexities of what seems to be a simple relationship.
(It seems that the other reviewers knew what the film was about before they saw it. I didn't.)
No matter who you are, this is a good film. Beautifully acted, well photographed.

justin wrote on 01/14/2006:

As a boy growing up I developed a fondness and eventual sexual attraction to my older stepbrother. I thought this movie might dive into this subject matter in a thought provoking manner, instead all it did was dive. I previous reviewer stated that it was poorly written, 100% true. The acting was forced, and this shortly over an hour long movie seemed to drag on into nothingness. Most of the movies from TLA Releasing are great, and I purchased this movie under the same assumption. I was greatly dissappointed, and my copy will go on EBay very soon!