The Dark Side of Love

For those who follow the output of creative filmmaker Jorge Ameer, his newest film will surprise. THE DARK SIDE OF LOVE figures less with the underbelly of same sex love than it does with familial relationships. Two brothers, gay waiter Julian (Carlos Salas) and his drug addicted brother Michael (Jason Susaq) are the main characters of this story, though at the beginning Ameer lets us believe we are on another journey. At an auction for charity straight bachelor Steven (Harsha First) is auctioned for a five day 'experience' to what he believes to be a wealthy lady, but in a quick change the winner gives her lucky number paddle to the handsome young waiter Julian who then by default wins five days with the man. This interlude of gradual acceptance is interrupted by the death of the Julian's mother and Julian departs for his mother's home to carry out the mother's secret wishes. At the same time Michael is at the bottom of his luck, severely addicted, out of funds, and in a messy relationship with the beautiful Chanel (Raquel Rosser) and receives the message that his mother has died. The two brothers meet at the mother's home, a cremation takes place and through some tough recriminations and also tender exchanges the strength of family brought to focus by the death of the matriarch reunites the dissimilar men. There are some interesting sidebars that for a moment seem to interfere with the direction of the story but in the end this is a heartwarming tale of the bond of family and the many manifestations of love.

Grady Harp