This documentary is nearly twenty years old now, and it follows a gay couple as they navigate the stressful and exciting journey of their first pregnancy through surrogacy. You get to see it all— the hope, the nerves, and the dramatic hurdles they have to clear along the way. Back in the day, this was probably a massive deal, but since I’ve known a few gay couples who’ve gone through this exact process, some parts felt a bit dated to me. I liked bits and pieces of it, but I also felt like the film stays pretty surface-level. It doesn't really dive into the deep, complicated reality of life after the baby actually arrives. If only raising a kid were actually as simple as this movie makes it look! Erik and Mark have been together in New York for ten years, and since they feel solid in their relationship, they decide they’re ready to raise a child. They start the hunt for a surrogate and eventually connect with Wen, a wife and mom from Maine who agrees to carry the baby for a standard...
Brothers Francesco and Nicola haven't seen each other for 40 years, ever since Francesco came out gay by declaring it in the school. Since he was a teacher at the time, he decided to spare his family the disgrace he had caused by declaring publicly his sexual orientation. When their mother dies, Francesco visits her but at the burials notary appears with the mother's last wish: to be buried next to her husband in her hometown by both her sons. After some bickering, the duo agree on the road trip where they will need to work on their issues. During this journey, Nicola finally gets to hear what was the real reason of Francesco outing himself publicly. The brothers are starting to communicate now. We also get to know that Francesco has a daughter and grandson, about whom he recently found out. When he decides to commit suicide in which Nicola saves him, we find that he is dealing with a liver disease and his days are numbered. This is when Nicola decides to donate this kidney fo this ailing brother to help him live more. The two brothers are finally where they belong with each other.
The story, even though simple is shared by two very strong performances. Francesco as the aging gay man with many many secrets and Nicola, the heteronormative man who doesn't understand or care about anything but so called "normal". At heart, there is positive message because we get to know the terrible shame Nicola suffered when the small minded town rejected his brother for being different. The prejudice of the time made it worst than it really needed to be. You hear both the viewpoints and you wonder why didn't they talk when such issues could have been amicably reconciled. The third character who gets most scenes are the driver (wannabe musician) who is driving the mother's body with them, and how some interaction between him and Nicola help Nicola realize how he can be a better person. Sometimes we make our opinion based on perceptions without understanding the reality behind people, and this film tries to address this flaw amongst as very beautifully. Like they say 'don't judge a book by its cover'. The two actors share some amazing chemistry and the film is elevated by some really good dialogues and emotions. I loved the ending when Nicola teases his daughter's in-laws about himself. The man has finally turned around and want to do everything right for his estranged brother. Laced with some beautiful Italy landscapes, this is a very nice feel-good movie that warms your heart and brings a smile to your face. (6.5/10)
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