I still see a young Spider-Man. Sorry Tobey Maguire. Although he brings maturity and depth to his role in BROTHERS, a part of me is waiting for him to say “with great power comes…” well you know. Instead we get a lot of yelling and breaking of things, ah feels like home.
BROTHERS, the new home-from-the-war film has been made with obvious sincerity for the subject matter. I did somewhat expect an anti-war movie, and it never felt that way. I don’t support war by any means – and this movie didn’t cater to either side. It is about the war at home. War is hell and this movie shows some of the consequences. Yet, with that major upside to the film, it still seems very unrealistic in terms of its characters. Maguire, as young as he looks and sounds does bring that nervousness with him to the role and you feel it. Director Sheridan and Maguire run things well here, running a line of tension through the film that explodes at the end; it really had people asking aloud “what’s going to happen.” (Ssshhh, watch and find out people!).
Rated: R for language and some disturbing violent content.
You talking to me? Well I'm the only one here.
Release: Dec 4, 2009
Synopsis: When a decorated Marine goes missing overseas, his black-sheep younger brother cares for his wife and children at home—with consequences that will shake the foundation of the entire family. BROTHERS tells the powerful story of two siblings, thirty something Captain Sam Cahill (Tobey Maguire) and younger brother Tommy Cahill (Jake Gyllenhaal), who are polar opposites. A Marine about to embark on his fourth tour of duty, Sam is a steadfast family man married to his high school sweetheart, the aptly named Grace (Natalie Portman), with whom he has two young daughters (Bailee Madison, Taylor Grace Geare).
Starring: Natalie Portman, Tobey Maguire, Jake Gyllenhaal
Director: Jim Sheridan
[IMDB] [Trailer]
The film felt mediocre. Good writing combined with great performances can sometimes be enough to save a film; just too many missteps here. What was satisfying to see was the two performances from the youngest actors in the movie (Bailee Madison, Taylor Grace Geare). It was surreal at times – you would bet they didn’t even know there was a 40+ crew in front of them at all times, like a home video capturing innocence and awe in a child’s eyes; it was something to see.
Impressive female leads. (Bailee Madison, Natalie Portman, Taylor Geare)
Sheridan’s prior films have garnered 16 Academy Award nominations; he has personally been nominated six times, for writing the screenplay of IN AMERICA (one of my favorites of all time); for writing, directing, and producing the best-picture nominee IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER; and for writing and directing MY LEFT FOOT. That is something to live up to, and he’s safe. Brothers is good, but ultimately for me it just felt like material I had seen before, I think in an old Vietnam episode of The Wonder Years actually with “For What It’s Worth” by Buffalo Springfield playing the the background.
The drama is there if you want it; tension builds like nothing else you might see this year, the movie doesn’t play safe with a one sided opinion on war or morals; it doesn’t even ask you to make your own – it’s a story told that left me wanting more – maybe that’s a good thing?
2 Army Duffle Bags out of 4
Tags: brothers, jake gyllenhaal, movie review, natalie portman, review, tobey maguire
