*SPOILERS I GUESS ?* Ugh i'm so torn about this movie because honestly i'm not very emotional (unless a dog dies) but it made me cry but i watched it twice, once i was 17 and today (i'm 21)and the 1st time i taught it was a beautiful piece of art and now i still think it's beautiful but it's TOO easy and perfect to feel like something that would really happen in real life! even in fairy tales they have problems and here their mother dies and even with the close relationship they both had with her their first tough is to have sex ... like ?! what surprised me the most is that we didn't have the chance to see their relationship grow, we saw them when they were 6 and 11 and then BAM they're 22 and 27 ! like what happened during their teenage years ? did they date other people ? did they have sex before ? did they wait till 22 and 27 to have sex for the FIRST TIME?!! and with a mother so loving it's weird to think that she never asked any of them if they were gay/straight ?like u can't have your son be 27 YEARS OLD without dating anyone and be like "oh it's normal" ! so really it's hard to focus on the beauty and poetry of the movie when so many gaps remain.

FROM BEGINNING TO END (Do Começo ao Fim) is the work of writer/director Aluzio Abranches who was born and raised in Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He graduated in Economics before going to the London International Film School, in 1983. His first feature- film, 'Um Copo de Cólera' (1999) was acclaimed in several international film festivals. In 2002 his second feature-film, As três Marias (The Three Marias) also was selected to various festivals abroad. His latest movie, 'Do Começo ao Fim' (From Beginning to End) tells a story about two male half-brothers who fall in love. The movie caused tremendous controversy as some people loved the delicate relationship between them and others who were outraged by the suggestion of incest. Nevertheless, it is undeniable it was groundbreaking for the homosexual Brazilian cinematography, being selected to over 25 international film festivals, many of them dedicated to the gay pride and film production.Though the feelings of viewers continues to be quite mixed, hopefully in time the film as an art work will be better appreciated. It is an exquisite study of family in a different light than any other film has probed. Julieta (Júlia Lemmertz) is currently married to Alexandre (Fábio Assunção) and they have a child Thomás who according to the narrator - the half brother Francisco from Julieta's previous marriage to Pedro (Jean Pierre Noher) - was born with his eyes closed and kept them closed except for looking at his new brother. Into this loving atmosphere the two brothers are close, enjoying each other's company in play and adventures and proximity. Francisco as a child is played by Lucas Cotrim and Thomás as a child is played by Gabriel Kaufmann. Thomás idolizes his big brother and Francisco looks to Thomás for secure love. The boys visit Pedro (Francisco's father) in Buenos Aires at Christmas and Pedro discusses with Julieta that he is concerned that the boys are too close, a fact that Julieta acknowledges but assures Pedro that this is normal in boys their age. At home in Rio de Janeiro Alexandre poses the same concern, but the two young boys are so happy and successful in school and sports that the subject is dropped. Pedro dies, then Julieta dies, and the two now grown young lads have only their shared father Alexandre to parent them. As young very handsome, athletic men Francisco (now played by João Gabriel Vasconcellos) and Thomás ( Rafael Cardosa) are left alone in their home and their relationship deepens into a physical one. The lads deeply love each other and their physical love is as wondrously portrayed as their love as half brothers. They exchange rings. They both are dedicated swimmers, but Thomás is better and is offer to go to Russia to train for the Olympics. The idea of separation deeply troubles them both, but Francisco's love for Thomás sees the importance to his brothers career and off Thomás goes to Russia. While the lads are separated they yearn for each other: Francisco attempts to assuage his longing with a young girl but his commitment to Thomás is stronger. The film ends in a statement of commitment and love between these two extraordinary men.The physical aspects of the relationship are beautifully captured in the sensitive cinematography by Ueli Steiger: the acts are passionate but visually subtle. The musical score by André Abujamra adds another realm of power to the story's character. Each of the actors in the film is excellent. It is rare that broken family stories have been shared with such grace and delicacy. And both Vasconcellos and Cardoso seem to have a fine career ahead of them.FROM BEGINNING TO END should not be labeled as a gay film even though it allows the viewer to see the power of same sex relationships in a beautifully described new light. This is, simply, a fine film and Aluzio Abranches deserves kudos for his accomplishment. Grady Harp

What a load of pretentious crap this film turns out to be. The most absurd and unbelievable premise is taken to extreme cinematic void through a soap opera type script and TV-commercial imagery. The charm and good looks of the two leading actors is enough to make you feel compassion for the characters but then you keep being blown to the sides by absurdly abrupt plot points and increasingly laughable drama. Lots of information is quickly given by poorly written dialogue and then you are given the chance to rest your eyes every so often with montages of extreme happy or sad kissing and making out - all set against a dramatic score that often makes you burst out laughing. The only reasons one can enjoy this film are the same that would make you enjoy an episode of afternoon TV drama as you prepare yourself a tortilla and think of making a dentist appointment... or the same that make you enjoy a Bel Ami porn - although unfortunately there is no actual sex in this one. My advise would be to skip it unless impossible, but never, NEVER, pay to watch it.

.....The Heart Loves Who the Heart MUST Love!(( A BEAUTIFUL LOVE STORY INVOLVING HALF-BROTHERS )) AN EXPLANATION ABOUT THIS FILM'S BEGINNING: Concerning The "Eyes Thing" in the film's first 2 minutes, there is a reason for the opening Black+White scene....and it has nothing to do with equipment failure....and everything to do with a newborn baby's failure (actually, unwillingness) to open his eyes. Until 2 weeks later, when he is shown to...and becomes aware of his older brother's presence (that's the eye-opening trigger). Let's just say about this that there is some foreshadowing here of the depth of the "brotherly Relationship" which is to come.(( NOTE--Now is a good time to advise that you read a marvelous 35 year old novel by Spanish author, Agustin Gomez-Arcos, entitled "The Carnivorous Lamb" (included in some "Gay Must-Read" recommended works). Here, you'll also find a detailing of the deep and physical love which develops between an older and younger brother. It is a beautiful read...and also begins with the "Eyes Thing." Perhaps Writer / Director Aluisio Abranches is, himself, a fan of this book. ))TIME PERIODS GIVEN US ARE 2: The brothers' early lives, "growing closer together" as children and young teens....Then, later on, their adult "Relationship", when the younger is, perhaps 20, and the older in his mid-20s or so.GENERAL OBSERVATIONS: It was UNexpected (and a problem for me) that so much time is devoted to "family life" in the film's first half.....particularly since it is problem-free (I rated film lower for this). Oh, and for those of you inclined to do the "blame-it-on-the-Mother" thing for the type "Relationship" you'll be seeing...just don't. As well, both the older brother's father (mother's divorced Ex) and the younger brother's father (mother's current) have close relationships with the boys...and with their mother (a woman who is, indeed, a lynchpin in the boys' lives). Moving on, we are given many, many scenes of the children's "innocent" physical closeness and touching---I can recall no shots in which they were not shown together. One scene, particularly, comes to mind: A quiet time with 3 of them relaxed on a sofa, the younger boy asleep against his brother's side and under his arm, the mother holding her eldest's hand while stating to him her love for them both....but then suddenly asking how things are going with the son (he responds as if thinking her meaning involves school). Then she corrects her question, saying she means....how are things going for himself. After receiving his answer of "no problems," she continues to press, and does so by asking "that question" which so many sons would just as soon never came up: "IS THERE SOMETHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO TELL ME?" (For me it is easy to surmise that, at his then age of 14 or so, the real meaning behind her question would likely escape him....for he eventually responds in the negative). Still, the subject of this "Closeness" between the 2 boys comes up again and is discussed between the mother and her Ex...though no course of action to confront it is ever arrived at by any parent.NEVERTHELESS: Be that as it may, "Closeness" usually has to lead somewhere....does it not? So....following their mother's unexpected death, when the brothers are likely in their early and later 20s, respectively, IT HAPPENS. We've reached a point where we are made witness to a most unusual and sexually provocative scene. A scene in which....while alone in their home....standing before and facing one another....they begin a slow and sensual disrobing, one item at a time....each one's eyes intently locked on the other, as if caught in a spell.....until, finally, they step into each others arms. (You WON'T forget this shot...probably one of a kind). AND, don't dare push that button and go away(!)....for immediately following, and without giving you time to cool down, you'll be treated to a stunningly beautiful, bedroom lovemaking scene. One in which love, each for the other, is declared. Then, in their afterglow, we are given a mantra for this unusual love of theirs (a love which, in reality, harms no others). The younger brother states to his beloved...and us: "I LOVE YOU BECAUSE, TO UNDERSTAND OUR LOVE, THEY'D NEED TO TURN THE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN!" ....There is little else for this viewer to say...other than there has never been a more beautiful painting of 2 men, together, than the camera gives us in this scene. (I won't even tempt you with descriptions of the bathroom scene which follows....other than to say: HOT!!).NOTABLE: Both adult leads are beautiful men.....well chosen for their roles. Particularly Joao Gabriel Vasconcellos, as elder brother, Francisco (who makes us "feel" his love and his loss).....but, also, Rafael Cardoso as the adult younger brother, Thomas, who lightens our hearts, as he does Francisco's. (The 2 young actors pictured in earlier childhood do a bang-up job, as well). /// Older stars portraying both the fathers and, especially Julia Lemmertz, as Mom, have well-known careers in their country's TV / Cinema areas. /// Cinematography is also praiseworthy. AND NOT SO NOTABLE: An apparent storyline gap of near 15 years presents a potential problem regarding the manner in which the lovemaking scene described above was set up. To me, the brothers' actions appear as if they are beginning their sexual activity for the very first time (tho I admit the possibility it's a "ritual" they enjoy when initiating sex). Certainly, with the closeness shown between these 2 young lads (and where it leads), it is hard to conceive that their mid- and late teen years together were not sexually active.FINALLY: I'll conclude here and allow you to find for yourself what the effects of a possible, long distance separation will be upon our lead characters....and what you might see their fate to be at film's conclusion.****