This is the second vertical AI BL drama I've sat through, and honestly I went in knowing better. I had it on while I was doing cardio at the gym, and what struck me was just how much the plot echoed the last one I watched. Same step brother romance angle, same mystery girlfriend showing up near the end, same extra guy pining after one of the leads. Genuinely the only thing going for it was the runtime, the whole thing wrapped up in forty five minutes flat. The setup kicks off with Finn moving schools because his mom just married into money. He finds out his new step brother Aiden goes to the same place, and he's warned to keep his distance from him. Their first run in at school is rocky, just like you'd expect, but there's this odd pull between them neither can shake off. Finn keeps telling himself not to read into it because Aiden's straight and openly homophobic. Things shift when some kids start bullying Finn and the student council president, Ryan, steps in to ...
When few AIDS patients die under similar circumstances, The DA's office believes they may her been due to assisted suicide, which is illegal in New York State and so Nicola (Nick) is assigned to investigate this case. She picks Matt Shapiro's case who recently passed away and starts interviewing people he was connected with. She meets Brian, who was Matt's caregiver and lover who runs Chelsea's HIV support clinic. She then reaches out his family and talks to his mother and his sisters. Every interview raises more questions than answers and in between all these conversations we see flashbacks of Matt's life, his coming out, telling family about him being sick and how things progress from there. He moves back home where his mother provides him with full time care-giving. The film ends with the so called "party" where he will say goodbye. When many of the suspects name themselves as perpetrators, the police has to let them all go. It's only then Matt's mother tells the truth of what really happened that night. The fatal IV drip is overdosed and then people around him have to take a quick decision.
The half hour towards the end is full of tear-jerking moments. How an individual struggles with the reality, how his friends and family react and come together in such times to show their support. The script is very well written and it poses some important questions. Nick's own family issues when her father was sick brings another interesting perspective. It's definitely a film far more concerned with its own social/political impact than it is with being a technically "good film," but it accomplishes its goals well and with a story that is consistently engaging. The production is average, but you still feel for the protagonist. The ending does surprise you on what really happened but part of you willingly processes it and maybe even agrees to it. Who is to judge what's right or wrong in this case.
For anyone who has dared to stay close to those dealing with HIV/AIDS, right to the gritty end, you'll find this a draining, rewarding, amusing, heart breaking reflection of your experiences. The film is about love, compassion, imperfections and being there for one another. (6/10)
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