Review of Brother to Brother (2004) by Brian W — 25 May 2008

Anthony Mackie is hot (his fuck scene with Kerry Washington in 'She Hate Me' still straightens my toes), so any flic where he stars is juicy. The poetry and images of times long past- however fierce- is romanticism beyond any plain sex scene or skewed lighting. And what character depth and dialogue! This movie is definitely food for the soul through its ups and downs and certainly as we look back in order to move forward on steadier ground.

Some cast notes: Ray Ford is fabulous fag who portrays a(nother) fabulous fag fabulously. Aujanue Ellis is simply captivating in her every role, and here she seriously works Zora Neale Hurston. (and mad props for the character development of this important writer/anthropologist and issues of integrity in a way that many artists bravely face). And, Daniel Sunjata, well, I would gladly drink his bath water.

There are few films that give treatise to the cultural stance of the Harlem Renaissance, and consider the weight of the world that they were forming as artists. Is it only Black gays who search to understand how folks only 2-3 generations out of slavery, and in the midst of American Apartheid, could make an entire artistic social movement? (Don't we all need those skills?) This film is a majestic and inspiring portrayal. Did I mention Anthony Mackie was fine? So is the guy who plays Langston- made me re-read all his books.