A Brother's Kiss

REVIEW
A hard-hitting and absorbing debut from writer-director Rosenfeld, A Brother's Kiss astutely develops the bond between two siblings on opposite sides of the law. Lex (Chinlund) is the older brother, whose failures in hoops and marriage lead him to a life of crime. Mick (Raynor) is the baby, a sensitive cop devoted to keeping their broken family together. The story, told in a lengthy flashback, shows the terrible event that forces Lex to protect Mick as a kid, and the efforts the adult Mick takes to save Lex when the world starts closing in on him. Although some of the plotting is a bit contrived, both leads are given an opportunity to show their tremendous range as actors. The film also features a terrific supporting cast including Moriarty as the boys' alcoholic mother, Perez as Lex's wife, a blonde Tomei as an addict and Leguizamo as a drug dealer. Tough, but tender, A Brother's Kiss is an affecting urban drama.