DVD Review: Brothers

Title: Brothers
Cast: Tobey Maguire, Jake Gyllenhaal, Natalie Portman
Director: Pierre Morel
Running Time: 101 min

Based on the Danish Motion Picture entitled Brodre by Susanne Bier and Anders Thomas Jenson, Brothers tells a tale of two brothers with distinctly different personalities and the bond they may or may not share.

Sam (Tobey Maguire) is about to be deployed to Afghanistan once more. His brother Tommy (Jake Gyllenhaal) has just been released from prison. When the military chopper crashes in the middle of war zone, the worst is presumed. Tommy has to fight off his dark history and assume responsibility for Sam’s wife Grace (Natalie Portman) and their two daughters.

A gripping account of not just how wars can affect individuals on the call of duty, but the consequential conflicts that arise within families of such individuals. Loyalties are strongly tested, invoking different emotions.

Tobey Maguire is exceptional in his portrayal of the upstanding, yet flawed character. Supporting him so soundly are Jake Gyllenhaal and Natalie Portman.

DVD out in September.