In the first few minutes the theme of the movie is set. Leo announces that he is HIV+ while the youngest brother, Marcel (12 yrs), has been sent upstairs to change. Marcel returns quickly enough to overhear the bad news, or at least quickly enough to know that he missed something important. Marcel approaches the table and gets two slow affectionate kisses from everyone at the table, and then goes upstairs and cries in the tub. So the family knew the news would be difficult, and are too cowardly to deal with the youngest boy's expected anguish. Marcel is too cowardly to reveal what he knows, and stays silent.
In two scenes Marcel and mother have awkward conversations, with both too scared to speak the truth.
Marcel's dirty joke reveals much about the contempt the family has for confidence.
Leo cowardly approach to his lover, Marcel's friend's mother, one brother not wanting to reveal the sum of his paycheck to another, the same brother blaming Marcel for losing a sale instead of acknowledging his own timid salesmanship...
Yet all the characters hug, kiss, and cuddle constantly, clothed, partially clothed, and nude. Their affection is just a mask for their extraordinary cowardice.
In two scenes Marcel and mother have awkward conversations, with both too scared to speak the truth.
Marcel's dirty joke reveals much about the contempt the family has for confidence.
Leo cowardly approach to his lover, Marcel's friend's mother, one brother not wanting to reveal the sum of his paycheck to another, the same brother blaming Marcel for losing a sale instead of acknowledging his own timid salesmanship...
Yet all the characters hug, kiss, and cuddle constantly, clothed, partially clothed, and nude. Their affection is just a mask for their extraordinary cowardice.