The story of two half-brothers who fall in love with one another, From Beginning To End is sure to make temperatures rise, and it's a perfect addition to our popular "ImageOut There!" series of films.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Program 23: From Beginning To End
The story of two half-brothers who fall in love with one another, From Beginning To End is sure to make temperatures rise, and it's a perfect addition to our popular "ImageOut There!" series of films.
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50 comments:
Who could have predicted a film about incest would be boring? The boys were cute and as men quite handsome. The cinematography was often beautiful, the passion genuine; unfortunately the sex was minimal. The music, like some sappy old Hollywood film from the 30s or 40s was sentimental and overbearing. I could deal with all that but what it lacked was any real conflict. They loved each other so much they couldn't bear to be apart? Come on.
AW....I don't know, Dan...see this is exactly why I love and continue to support ImageOut---something for every taste! LOL I think the very things that frustrated you about the film were the things that drew me in.
I do agree the introductory section with the boys' childhoods was probably more drawn out than it needed to be (for my taste)---but once you got to their adulthood, I have to admit I got sucked in. Now, the incest component aside (which I think I'm still trying to wrap my brain around)---I thought their relationship and the way it was presented was really beautiful & breathtaking. I wasn't disappointed with the lack of sex scenes----in fact I thought it was kind of refreshing to see their love depicted in a way where their passion and intimacy was palpable without needing to become soft-core porn (not that I don't love some soft OR hard core porn now and then, mind you, LOL).
My biggest challenge with the film---as I suspect is the case for many who saw it---was the incest. This is one of those films that I really wish the director and/or screenwriter could have attended to talk about why the incest plot device was important/valuable (as opposed to, say, them being two boys who grew up next door to each other and fell in love during childhood----or even being adoptive brothers as opposed to biological ones).
At the end of the day, though, I have to admit that I think overall I liked the film----it was definitely though-provoking...and I suppose that was (at least partly) the point.
MY biggest challenge with the film was the overbearing, overwrought, overUSED score. Blegh.
For me, this was a very intense movie, since I know someone in almost this very situation. Two gay brothers, just a few years apart, who are unbelievably close, share a great deal of physical (though not sexual) intimacy, and even have a couple guys "in common". In this case one was more independent, and found his own way eventually. But I when I first knew them, they were quickly headed to where this movie went. And they still have a very intimate and close relationship.
Personally, I feel a little jealous of the relationship these two (four?) have. Who else can say they've had someone there for them almost every moment of life that they can remember? That knows every secret, every detail, and you know the same about them? That level of love, trust and security can be hard to find inside most families, yet alone with someone outside of it.
I do agree it was a bit slow paced, and the music was sentimental. But having watched a real life version of this, I feel it conveyed very well how close and intimate relationships can be. Many of us lose sight of that because in our own lives we've had to become jaded and secretive in order to survive. But to see it portrayed with such clarity and openness here was a real treat.
I agree with Woody - this film was touching and I did also feel jealous of their relationship. It was a solid foundation for a lifetime of love and devotion. I can't even sit in the same room with my brothers without wanting to throw a large object at their heads.
Yes, I know that the brothers were extremely attractive, especially Francesco (woof!), and some people said, "Well if they weren't so hot then you'd be just as weirded out as I am," which I disagree. I felt that the film did an excellent job of developing their relationship. Since it was done slowly, which some people are complaining about, it wasn't just thrown in our faces to accept. By doing it gradually, we are able to feel their love for one another. I felt that their love was more believable than some of the romantic comedies that are out there.
While it was odd that they are half brothers who are in love, if you can get beyond that, then you really have a touching love story.
Leaving the incest aside for a moment, let's look at the writing. This wasn't a TERRIBLE story, but the pacing was very slow. And what about the abrupt ending? We watch these boys grow for 18 years, and at the emotional climax of the story, we get blackout and credits? Don't know whether to blame the director, editor or writer, but after 96 minutes, the audience deserves to SEE the characters finally come into acceptance of their love.
That was my problem too. The title "From Beginning to END", plus the opening scene in the hospital, implies we are about to see a story that spans a lifetime. I did enjoy the evolution of the characters, but there needed to be more conflict than simply one of them going away to train.
I think the title gives the implication that they literally are lovers from Beginning to the very End because they have known each other for their whole lives, aside from the 5 - 6 years before the younger brother (Tom Tom) was born.
From the ballots:
Nice culture. Intense.
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Artistic and very poignant!
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HOTNESS! But the scoring was terrible.
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Loved the story line. Beautifully filmed love scenes. Strange cuts at times but overall a great choice. Thanks!
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The story was a beautiful one on the endless love that can blossom between siblings. A little long, but the ending was worth it.
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Excellent.
Erotic. Exquisite. Amazingly intense performances.
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Gorgeous!
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Stunning!
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The BEST Brazilian film I have ever seen!
Michael's response:
Okay. Just to put this in perspective: how many Brazilian films have you seen? Hmm?
From the ballots:
Rich and beautiful.
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Excellent. A few awkwardly drawn-out minutes, but otherwise it felt pretty realistic.
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This was a good piece for generating emotions. The amount of dialogues was solid. The music was great.
From the ballots:
Incredibly beautiful scenes of dawning understanding. The audience is left to interpret the relationship within the confines of their own experiences and hidden desires. Incredible "understanding" from the world. I was expecting bad things in Russia. The "Bear" is NOT understanding of alternate lifestyles.
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Excellent. Win the prize!
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Such a poignant, exquisite and wonderful film. My favorite so far. Wonderfully and thoughtfully written and acted.
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Beautiful, poignant, and sexy too!
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Very profound and sensitive.
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Excellent. Great topic. Glad to see it was addressed.
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Loved it! One of the best so far.
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Excellent.
Not only were they hot, but they had a love that people search their whole lives for.
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Another great story!
Great scenery!
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Excellent.
Beautifully photographed.
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Really beautiful movie both as a film and as a story. A real winner.
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Interesting take on love. The purity of it, etc. Wonderfully filmed.
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Played theme song too much.
Ending was too abrupt.
Engaging.
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Beautiful story.
F***ing weird movie.
From the ballots:
Good, not great. No real ending but still beautiful.
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Sudden ending, but great movie!
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Not as good as UNDERTOW. At times, relied too much on smoldering looks. Not enough plot. But still enjoyable.
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A nice movie. The transition to their intimate moment was weird. But I liked the movie as snippets of life, love, and kinship.
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Good.
Good film! Good ending!
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Good but disturbingly abrupt ending.
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A little long.
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It was a little choppy. but they were VERY hot.
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Beautiful story and movie.
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Good movie. Abrupt end.
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Such a beautiful romance.
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Kind of abrupt scene changes and in a way, didn't really ever develop the idea fully. But was a good story. Music was beautiful.
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Hotness, with great locations. Think the cinematographer was MVP and "the composer" deserved to be SHOT!
From the ballots:
Needed editing. A bit plodding. Other than him not functioning on his own, it did not delve into the psychological, emotional complexities the relationship had on the family.
From the ballots:
It succeeds in convincing that they may be in love but ... plodding! Takes forever to get going. Need editing , cutting.
It has lyrical images but where can it go? Other than emotional disability, inability to function ...
From the ballots:
SOOOOO SLOOOOW!
You could fall asleep between the little dialogue it had.
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