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Jake Gyllenhaal,
Natalie Portman,
Tobey Maguire,
more...
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Jim Sheridan
see all cast/crew...
: 
: Lionsgate
: Drama, Romance, Dysfunctional Families
: 100 min.
: English
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Jim Sheridan's film, adapted from Susanne Bier's 2004 movie, concerns Captain Sam Cahill (Tobey Maguire), a Marine who receives orders to ship out for yet another tour of duty in Afghanistan. But before he leaves his supportive wife, Grace (Natalie Portman), and his two elementary-school-age daughters, Sam picks up his black sheep brother, Tommy (Jake Gyllenhaal), who has finished a prison stretch for robbing a bank. While overseas, Sam's aircraft gets shot down and he's thought dead. Back home, irresponsible Tommy gets his act together in order to be an anchor for Grace and the girls, and the two grow emotionally -- though not physically -- close. As the family finally begins to make peace with their grief, soldiers rescue POW Sam and he returns home. Sam's experiences overseas have caused him such emotional turmoil, he has a difficult time adjusting to civilian life, and soon his fear and paranoia manifest themselves in the form of jealousy for his brother's relationship with his wife. Sam Shepard and Mare Winningham co-star as the brothers' father and stepmother. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
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| It's Fine...But Watch the Original
by jmwagner66
January 27, 2012 - 5:28 PM PST
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This is a fine movie, but not nearly as good as the original. The original story centers around UN a peacekeeper and his brother. When that is recast as an American soldier and his brother...well now you've clearly picked sides. The UN is at least nominally trying to "keep the peace" while the US is at war (undeclared but whatever). This change infects the entire film. This film also suffers from having an impossibly good looking cast. Not everyone involved in the military or jail is ugly, but neither are most as attractive as these folks.
In the American film, you know which side the soldier is on and it isn't clear that he's a career man. UN peacekeepers are career men. That is another significant different brought on by the change of plot and setting. Alas, while this is a fine film, better to watch, or also watch, the original Brothers (2004)directed by Susanne Bier |
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GreenCine Member Rating
(Average 6.50)
6 Votes
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