Naïve typesetter David Bennett (a sincere and likeable performance by David Schachter) volunteers to work as a "buddy" providing companionship for people dying of AIDS. David gets assigned to look after angry gay activist Robert Willow (a fine and affecting portrayal by Geoff Edholm), who's been abandoned by his friends and family in the wake of his terminal diagnosis.
Writer/director Arthur Bressan Jr. treats the delicate subject matter with great care and sensitivity; his low-key style and incisive writing keep the primary focus on the often intense and probing relationship that develops between the two radically contrasting main characters, with an especially nice and satisfying arc for David, who learns to become more socially and politically aware about gay rights issues thanks to the deep bond he makes with Robert. Moreover, Bressan Jr. not only astutely captures both the stigma ascribed to AIDs victims and the paranoia concerning AIDs back in the 1980's, but also says something poignant and significant about the basic human need for company and emotional connection. This film's key triumph is the subtle way it puts an extremely human face on AIDS without ever becoming too maudlin or preachy about it. The fact that both Bressan Jr. and Edholm were eventually claimed by AIDS further underlines the heart-wrenching tragedy of the 80's AIDS epidemic. A lovely film.
Writer/director Arthur Bressan Jr. treats the delicate subject matter with great care and sensitivity; his low-key style and incisive writing keep the primary focus on the often intense and probing relationship that develops between the two radically contrasting main characters, with an especially nice and satisfying arc for David, who learns to become more socially and politically aware about gay rights issues thanks to the deep bond he makes with Robert. Moreover, Bressan Jr. not only astutely captures both the stigma ascribed to AIDs victims and the paranoia concerning AIDs back in the 1980's, but also says something poignant and significant about the basic human need for company and emotional connection. This film's key triumph is the subtle way it puts an extremely human face on AIDS without ever becoming too maudlin or preachy about it. The fact that both Bressan Jr. and Edholm were eventually claimed by AIDS further underlines the heart-wrenching tragedy of the 80's AIDS epidemic. A lovely film.