Brothers (2009) Movie Review by Kate

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Rating: R [ for language and some disturbing violent content.

Genre: Drama

Starring: Natalie Portman, Tobey Maguire, Jake Gyllenhaal, Bailee Madison

Plot: 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. … 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.Remake of 2004 Danish  film of the same name, directed by Susanne Brier

Director: Jim Sheridan

Running time: 1:34

Kate says – 3 1/2 stars “Brothers is a thoroughly captivating, riveting and timely movie, dealing with the effects of war on the people fighting, and the people left behind at home.  Portman, Maguire and Gyllenhaal deliver engrossing, emotional and believable performances, quite possibly the best of their careers. Don’t overlook this film because it may not be as flashy as some of the other December movies coming out. It’s a worthwhile way to spend an hour and a half of your life.”

Michael Philips (Chicago Tribune) says – 3 1/2 stars “The film is gripping—an honorable and beautifully acted addition to the tradition of homefront war stories. Director Jim Sheridan has prodded his actors to dig deeply and deliver the big emotions without going for capital-A Acting, also classified as capital-O (Oliver) and capital-S (Stone). The stars playing the brothers of the film’s title, Tobey Maguire and Jake Gyllenhaal, have been variously effective and touching in much of their respective screen work, but their best stuff here is the their best stuff to date.” (read full review)

Roger Moore (Orlando Sentinal) says – 3 stars “But as predicable and cloying as Brothers sometimes is, the cast is fascinating, young actors now possessing the dramatic heft to pull something like this off.” (read full review)

James Berardinelli (Reelviews) says – 3 1/2 stars “Brothers is arguably the most successful remake of a foreign film since Martin Scorsese reworked Infernal Affairs into The Departed and won the Oscar.” (read full review)

Other reviews by Kate.