Mr. Movie's review of "Brothers"

Mr. Movie, a/k/a Gary Wolcott, asked me to post his review of last Friday's film "Brothers" for him. Besides appearing in the March 7th print version of the newspaper, the review is also posted on the Tri-City Herald's site. What did you think of the film? Feel free to comment.

One brother is happily married, a solid family man and the light of his parent’s life. The other drinks too much. One brother goes to war in Afghanistan. The other stays home. Horrible things happen to the good brother. The irresponsible brother becomes responsible.

The subtle flip-flop gets you a closer look at the younger brother, a man desperate for a center. And that deeper look reveals gaps and flaws not seen in the older. Anchoring the conflict and also at its hub is the older man’s wife.

The subtitled Dutch film “Brothers” is a character study masterpiece; quiet, powerful and difficult. The three lead characters are given plenty of space as the story weaves in and out of their lives in such a personal way that sometimes you feel like you’re eavesdropping.