Capturing the consciousness and emotions of a family through some terrific directing of great actors seems to be director Jim Sheridan's forte. Add to that a captivating screenplay written by David Benioff and you get a film toying with the emotions of the audience.
 Brothers, a spirited attempt at interpreting the 2004 Danish film of the same name by Susanne Bier, is a story about, you guessed it, two brothers, who are polar opposites. As Tommy Cahill (Jake Gyllenhaal) is being released from prison, Sam Cahill (Tobey Maguire) is preparing to leave his wife, Grace (Natalie Portman), and two daughters for his tour of duty in Afghanistan. What ensues is a dramatic series of events in which Sam who is a prisoner of war, is supposed dead and Tommy, out of guilt, begins to take the responsibility of holding the family together, whilst growing attached to Grace and his nieces. However when Sam returns is when the real drama unfolds.
Sheridan and Benioff keep the audience dwelling in anticipation at how the two main storylines of Tommy and Grace's relationship and the aftereffects of war on Sam's psyche, will evolve. Sam's paranoia, Grace's grief and Tommy's guilt and yearn for redemption are all well portrayed. What might get overshadowed is the desolation faced by Sam's daughters, especially the older one played by Bailee Madison. Overall the film is balanced the film well as they focus on the conflict abroad and it repercussions on the conflict at home.
Despite the story mirroring its Danish predecessor, Benioff's writing skills are on display in Brothers as they were in The Kite Runner, Stay and the critically acclaimed 25th Hour, based on his novel. He keeps the screenplay simple, contemporary and evades any confusion, while playing to his strengths and keeps the storyline riveting for the characters and audiences alike.
Similarly Sheridan proves his potency of telling tales of family strife and the fragile male psychology pushed to its limits as witnessed in In the Name of the Father, In America or even The Boxer. In all three films Sheridan had the privilege of working with the most methodical actor in the industry, Daniel Day Lewis, which must have made his job easier. Likewise working with a great cast in Toby Maguire, Jake Gyllenhaal and Natalie Portman, and the surprising and refreshing talent of little Bailee Madison must have been a treat.
Apart from the revelation of yet another child star in Madison, there was no surprise performances. Portman was her natural self, an actress who has the willingness and ability to portray any character assigned to her magnificently well, be it a spoilt brat, a princess, a stripper or a toy store clerk.
Jake Gyllenhaal continues to grow as an actor from his highly acclaimed role in Donnie Darko to his coming-out party (as an actor) alongside deceased co-star Heath Ledger in Brokeback Mountain. If he continues on this path and doesn't falter like he did between the two aforementioned projects, then an Oscar isn't far out of reach.
As for Maguire, well since 2002's Spiderman we have better known him as Peter Parker. While he did have The Good German and Seabiscuit amidst the Spidey years, there haven't been many noteworthy performances for him to be taken seriously and grow out of an adolescent image. This performance might be the one for him to turn the corner, as he plays a shell-shocked war veteran. While his wide-eyed approach to the character may seem a little over the top, it keeps you guessing as to when his character will lash out. Overall he does well playing a role unlike others he has been offered in the past and hopefully for his career's sake this will set a precedent for him to be offered more edgier roles.
While the film could have done with better cinematography, New Mexico just falls short of looking like war ravaged Iraq, the entire film is sound and solid. Jim Sheridan delivers a melodrama about war and its effects on families. The cast backs up Sheridan's vision and Benioff screenplay with great aplomb.
– Amar Ayaz
*YUCK
**WHATEVER
***GOOD
****SUPER
*****AWESOME |
