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Storyline
"You won't leave me, will you?" Nick asks Brandon shortly after revealing to him the results of his last blood test for HIV. "I don't want to die alone." In spite of Brandon's protestations, the two soon find the love they had shared for many years in ruins. One year after their breakup, Nick is confronted with a ravaged immune system and a CT Scan and lab values which, along with his worsening forgetfulness, clenches the diagnosis of Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML) -- a condition he has seen claim his friends and one which he vows will not take him. Due to the aggressive nature of the disease, he has only a few days of conscious life remaining. His plan, he announces to family and "extended family," is to voluntarily end his life himself before the disease renders him unrecognizable to those he loves and he, in turn, is unable to recognize them. Uninvited to the farewell party, Brandon's presence is greeted with jeers from those who see him as having abandoned Nick ... Written by
Mark Fleetwood <mfleetwo@mail.coin.missouri.edu>
Plot Summary
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Taglines:
A gathering of friends. A gift of love. A celebration of life.
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Did You Know?
Trivia
Bruce Davison was shooting another movie and could only clear one Saturday for this film. All his scenes were shot on that one day, and he had no script. The director explained the arc of the scene, and Davison improvised all his lines.
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Goofs
When we hear Brandon say "He's so close to your mom", it's clear that his lips say "He's so close to your dad."
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Quotes
Andrew Bingham:
Dad sends me to church all the time, hoping I'll become straight.
Nick:
Catholic church? Good luck!
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Connections
References
Camille (1936)
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Soundtracks
"Tu condena"
Written by Cecilia Noël & Tom Gegs
Performed by Cecilia Noël and The Wild Clams
Courtesy of Clamor
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. . .and even heaving sobs.
When I saw this in 1996 at the theater, I started crying about 15 minutes in and never stopped. I haven't been able to watch it since then. I decided to buy the DVD and see if I coudl get through it without so much crying. ..well, almost.
For me, the emotions start pouring over me when I empathize with all of Nick's loving friends, including his former lover Brandon, who are somewhat supportive of his decision, yet really not ready to let him go quite yet.
As someone else mentioned, the wink that Nick gives Brandon, signalling his forgiveness of Brandon for his selfishness and lack of understanding, just does me in. From that moment on, and up until the end, the tears keep running down my face.
By the way, what a great cast for such a moving film! Eric Roberts and Gregory Harrison are exceptional, and they get great support from Lee Grant, Bronson Pinchot, Margaret Cho, Erich Segal, the late Roddy McDowell, and the rest.
I think I'll watch this DVD whenever I'm feelig cynical and weary of the events taking place in this world of bigotry, hatred and war. At least then I can have a good cry about something that really matters: love and affection from one's nearest and dearest.