2009 may have been the year of Iraq/Aghanistan war movies, at least good ones. "The Hurt Locker" showed what some say is a realistic view of the Iraq war circa 2004, and "Brothers" shows the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder, and what war does to the people left behind while a family member is off to war. "Brothers" is almost a misnomer; the film could almost be called "Family" or something, but as I understand it, it is a remake of a Danish film, "Broders." Regardless of the title, the film creates a unique story that offers a different perspective on America's current war-undertakings, blending home life and actual war scenes into a compelling, dramatic movie that completes other similar war-genre films of the past decade.
The juxtaposition of the two brothers, Tommy (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Sam Cahill (Tobey Maguire) is immediately made obvious. Sam, the military family man with a wife Grace (Natalie Portman) and two young daughters, and Tommy, the younger brother Sam picks up from prison in one of the opening scenes. Not to mention the men's father, Hank (Sam Shepard) who is a Vietnam vet himself, and clearly proud of Sam while equally disappointed and disproving of Tommy's lifestyle. Grace is similarly disproving of Tommy, who drinks a lot and does not get along well with any of the family.
When Sam is sent on another tour of Afghanistan, his family life is torn apart, but he seems ready to get back into battle. His helicopter is shot down, and all people are assumed dead. The news, obviously, devastates Grace, and furthers the rift between Tommy and his father, as well as Grace. But a kitchen project Tommy undertakes at Grace's house helps both with their grief, and the children take a shining to Tommy as well. The new family seems happy, until they get the news that Sam may not be dead. But what he had to endure while captured by Afghan rebels may have changed his mental state....
The synopsis I just gave tells a lot about the plot does not give anything away. The important aspect of the movie is the human interactions, and the effects war has on soldiers and their families. I enjoyed this film, which develops the story well and creates a good plot. The acting is solid, as can be expected from this strong cast, and though slow at times, it never really lost me. A good, different war story that make for an enjoyable watch.
7 out of 10 stars
Here's the trailer:
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