After Louie

Some stronger filmmaking would be welcome, sure, but "After Louie" has an honesty that's often just as valuable.

Its subject matter is interesting, and it's right to remind viewers of the need for different generations of queer people to communicate, but After Louie is burdened by narrative and dialogue clichés that undermine its emotional appeal.

... a valuable meditation on generational differences, particularly between gay men who lived through the worst years of the AIDS crisis and those who came of age afterward.

While it's well-intentioned to a fault, and driven by deep convictions, the film also is diffuse, lethargically paced and short on thematic trenchancy, building powerful individual moments but seldom sustaining a compelling narrative thread.

Cumming is spectacular.

Even though the film has a plodding pace there are flashes of honesty and brilliance that make this film worth a passive look.

As an actor, [Zachary] Booth can't quite keep up with [Alan] Cumming, but Braeden is likable in ways that the cynical Sam is not, so it evens out in the end.

But the film is overstuffed with messages that, while important, are imparted in a didactic fashion. At least Cumming's poignant turn as Sam helps the film over its rough moments.

While After Louie might not always approach its content in a subtle way, the film's passion, insights and feeling frequently hit home regardless.

Sam isn't particularly likable, but Cumming plays him with great empathy, finding a broken, complicated man beneath the abrasive surface.