'Brothers' Movie Review

Moviegoers are not interested in war films, yet three of the best movies of 2009 have the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan as their backdrop. The Hurt Locker, The Messenger, and Brothers are solid, somber, and timely films which likely won't find any success at the box office. But that's due to the timing of their releases and not due to the artistic merits of each of the three films.

Brothers is the Americanized remake of the 2004 Danish film, Brødre, co-written and directed by Susanne Bier (Things We Lost in the Fire). I'm not familiar with Bier's original film so I can't compare how writer David Benioff (The Kite Runner, X-Men Origins: Wolverine) has adapted Bier's work or how Jim Sheridan (My Left Foot, In America) stands up as director next to Bier. I can say this Brothers took me completely by surprise with its unflinching look at the affects of war on returning U.S. servicemen and women. It's ultimately the story of two brothers who are polar opposites and their positions within their family, but it's also a gritty, no-holds-barred reflection on what happens once someone comes home from a tour of duty. Of course, the events in Brothers are taken to the nth degree, but it's still one of the most in-depth looks at the adjustment to life out of the war zone we've seen reflected on film in recent years.

The Story

Sam (Tobey Maguire) is the solid, upstanding son who married his high school sweetheart, loves his two beautiful young daughters, and has a spotless record as a captain in the Marine Corps. Younger brother Tommy (Jake Gyllenhaal) is the bad seed of the family, a convicted bank robber fresh out of jail who loves to drink. Tommy returns home just as Sam's about to ship out to Afghanistan for yet another tour of duty. The send-off dinner for Sam is an uncomfortable affair as Sam's wife, Grace (played by Natalie Portman), is no fan of her brother-in-law, and it's obvious Tommy and Sam's father, Hank (Sam Shepard), has nothing but disdain for his law-breaking son. Hank throws all of Sam's accomplishments in Tommy's face, while Sam tries to play the peacemaker as much as possible.

Shortly after Sam ships out, word comes that he's been killed in action. His helicopter was shot down and Sam's presumed dead. Tommy reacts to this news by taking over the duties of the male of the household, helping Grace and the kids out and just being there as a male presence in their lives. As the days go on, Tommy and Grace's relationship evolves into something special in its own right. Grace and the girls are still mourning the loss of Sam, but Tommy's steady presence fills a void left by Sam's death.

Grace's world is rocked once more when she's told Sam didn't really die. He was held as a prisoner by the Taliban and forced into committing an atrocious act, something so vile Sam's connection with reality becomes a loosely-held thread. Returning to his family, Sam becomes suspicious of Grace and Tommy's new closeness. In need of counseling but unwilling to open up, Sam becomes a walking time bomb on the verge of a deadly explosion.

The Cast

Tobey Maguire delivers a career-defining performance as the physically and psychologically tortured Marine. Maguire displays an emotional range we haven't had a chance to see in the actor lately, and you can't take your eyes off of him when he's on the screen. His performance is that powerful.

Maguire is absolutely perfect as a man in distress slowly losing control, and his performance is matched by every member of the cast. Jake Gyllenhaal's take on the 'bad' brother is just as convincing as his work in Brokeback Mountain and Jarhead. Natalie Portman shows real maturity as a widow trying to deal with her husband's death while not letting her sorrow negatively impact her children.

And Brothers features two of the best performances by child actors this decade. Taylor Geare is a natural and completely charming as the youngest child, Maggie. But it's Bailee Madison who steals this movie away from her more seasoned co-stars. Madison delivers a performance actors with dozens of years more experience would be hard-pressed to find within themselves. When she smiles up at Maguire in the family's backyard and then as he walks away her beautiful little face crumbles and ages - right there is a moment in film I'll never forget. This young actress is going to go far.

The Bottom Line

The subject matter is going to turn off a lot of people. And I won't sugarcoat it by saying this isn't a war movie; there are scenes in Brothers that take place in Afghanistan that are as unflinchingly brutal as any war film could possibly get. But I'm hoping it will find an appreciative audience that'll put aside their dislike for all things war and take in this gripping, emotional drama.

It's not a pretty tale it tells, but Brothers absolutely delivers a convincing, intense and powerful story of a family in conflict and the forgiveness and understanding needed to heal terrible wounds.

GRADE: A-

Brothers was directed by Jim Sheridan and is rated R for language and some disturbing violent content.

Theatrical Release: December 4, 2009

_{Disclosure: This review is based on a screening provided by the studio. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.}