The Perfect Son

Two long-estranged brothers, Theo (David Cubitt) and Ryan (Colm Feore), are reunited at their father's funeral, fortuitously beginning a rather reluctant process of reconciliation. A successful lawyer, Ryan has little in common with Theo, the family ne'er-do-well who's been in and out of drug rehab for years. After revealing to Theo that he's gay and dying of AIDS, Ryan establishes a bond with his brother, coming to depend on him for care in his final days. Nabbing a pair of deserved Genie nominations for its lead actors, the film nevertheless suffers from dialogue and plot situations bordering on the banal, as well as a really unnecessary subplot involving Theo's girlfriend and her unwanted pregnancy. Very optional. (T. Rich)