All Rise...

Judge Brett Cullum gets grossed out when brotherly love goes a bit too far.

The Charge

Incest never looked quite so fashionable.

The Case

What's that old bad joke about "if you can't keep it in your pants then at least keep it in your family?" From Beginning to End is a Brazilian feature filmed in 2009 that chronicles the sexual and romantic relationship of two brothers. Yep, I said brothers. Okay, so at least they are only half brothers, but they do have the same mother which instantly makes the idea of the narrative a bit gross. The film shows them as young kids and we get to watch them mature into grown men who share an unnatural bond that pushes the boundaries of good sense and taste.

Writer and director Aluizio Abranches has made a movie that looks great, stars some attractive hunky leads, but in the end might have pushed good taste a little too far. Don't blame South American actors Rafael Cardoso as Thomás and João Gabriel Vasconcellos as Francisco, because they do a pretty good job of playing brothers that become lovers. The score and production values are awesome, and the sensitive approach to the story is well played. The thing is, I just couldn't root for these two to make it for the long haul and felt relief when one went to Russia to train as a swimmer.

DVD Verdict received a screener of this TLA Release. The transfer looked just fine, and the soundtrack worked to deliver the dialogue. My copy had no extras, so not much to speak of in the technical or supplemental department. It should be fine.

Really, From Beginning to End hinges on whether you can get over the fact that it is a love story about two brothers. If that is not repugnant to you, then the rest of this well done flick will work for you. The acting is fine, the scenery is incredible, the love scenes are luscious, and the guys are beefcake in all the right ways. I personally just wish they weren't related, and then I could tell you that this is a pretty solid love story. Unfortunately though, it just doesn't work for me because it feels so icky. I just can't embrace the central idea as anything other than a bit stomach turning, no matter how good looking the guys are.

The Verdict

Guilty of incest, which is just not attractive on film or in real life.

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