Raising Heroes

This curious indie film weaves together 1) the touching story of a loving and responsible gay couple on the verge of an adoption hearing, with 2) a tale of mobsters seeking ferocious revenge. When Josh (Troy Sistillio) witnesses a mob hit, he tries to save himself and shield his partner Paul (Henry White) from knowing about the incident for fear of jeopardizing their chances of adopting a little boy. What works about this film is the credibility of Josh and Paul's caring relationship; what doesn't are the film's plot inconsistencies and the poorly acted mafioso scenes. The dichotomy between the gay couple's tenderness and the brutal violence onscreen, not to mention a ludicrous subplot about a gay undercover cop, leave the viewer wondering whether to take the film's messages seriously, or laugh at the sheer improbability of it all. Optional. (A. Glover)