Walking on Water

In accordance with his dying wishes, Gavin, an AIDS patient, is helped in his assisted suicide by trusted pals Charlie and Anna--but because of his built-up tolerance for morphine, the overdose that Gavin receives is insufficient and Charlie must resort to suffocating him with a plastic bag in front of gathered family and friends. So begins this downbeat Down Under drama, set in Sydney, featuring a cast of talented little-knowns who must deal with the aftermath of Gavin's death. Wracked by guilt, Charlie dulls his pain with leftover morphine when solace from his lover Frank is not forthcoming; meanwhile, Anna finds comfort in booze and the arms of Gavin's married brother Simon, who's having his own problems coping. Although leavened by moments of humor, this earnest exploration of grief and healing ends up being quite a slog through self-torment and recrimination. Definitely optional. (T. Rich)