Review of Harry + Max

Harry + Max (2004)
10/10
Excellent, but controversial.
20 July 2006
Max is a gay 16-year old teen idol with long blond hair and an androgynous look, a "hottie that shoots like a fire hose" according to his brother. We learn that not only has he seduced his brother, but also the ex-wife of his brother, his 40-years old yoga teacher, and "various friends". His brother Harry is a 23-years old rock star in a boy band with a girlfriend and an alcohol addiction, and confused feelings about his younger brother.

Harry knows that what they do is wrong and tries to keep his younger brother at bay, but ultimately cannot help himself. He breaks up with his girlfriend and goes for a relationship with Max. A little too late, because by that time Max has come to realize that Harry is not right for him and decides to go his own way, with an overheard conversation as the catalyst. The incest was made possible by the personalities of the two brothers, formed by being celebrities at such a young age, but it's those same personalities that inevitably lead to the ending of the sexual relationship. The tag line "brothers like no others" was aptly chosen.

An excellent movie with great acting by Cole Williams (Max) and Bryce Johnson (Harry), a thoughtful, sensitive, and layered script with a European feel, and a fitting soundtrack. It's a pity the incest motif will be like a red flag to many people, blinding them to the quality of this movie.
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