Marla and I see a good number of movies. Not as many as during our pre-kid days, but it is still ‘our thing’. I thought that every now and then I would review a film we see. Not because I am a film critic or anything, but just because I enjoy watching the things and like to put my opinion across 
Last night we saw “Brothers” with Jake Gyllenhaal, Natalie Portman and Tobey Maguire directed by Jim Sheridan (IMDB). If you are planning on seeing the film then probably don’t read further.
Briefly (as you can see in the trailer). Older brother, Sam, (the good brother) goes off to Afghanistan leaving his wife (Grace) and daughters at home. Helicopter is shot down, Sam is presumed dead. Grace and daughters morn his death and are comforted by rebel brother, Tommy, who turns out to be a saving grace (no pun intended) to the three ladies left behind. Then Sam is rescued (not having died but rather been taken captive) and returns home. He notices a warmth between his wife and his brother and freaks out. He cries, she cries, movie ends.
Seriously that is all that happens, apart from some moving scenes involving the children (who were the best thing about this film).
Rated R in the US because of violence and language, somehow it was only given a 13 age restriction here in SA. The violence (mainly implied and not visible on screen (unless violence to a kitchen cupboard counts)) was appropriate to the subject matter and was not the center of attention as it would be in a Tarantino flick. I hardly noticed the language, which also indicates that it was appropriately used within the context of the film.
I wrote a while ago that Hollywood usually only does stories that fit into a defined pattern. This film looked set to go the same way but ended before it could resolve. Seriously the film either ended 20 mins too soon or it should have ended 5 mins earlier. There was no resolution, no real cliffhanger ending set to inspire debate over coffee afterwards, nothing. As I said previously: He cries, she cries, the end.
The film dealt with some real issues that soldiers in war time have to deal with and how they adapt to life afterwards, and while it was not badly written, directed or acted, the way it ended left the whole thing feeling dull and uninspired. The writers/director could have done way more with it.
I would seriously only give it 3/5 and even then a very low three.
Seen the film? Your thoughts? Disagree with me? Agree?
It was stupid. The only thing making it worthwhile to watch was the beautiful Natalie Portman. Since I like men, not even this was a highlight for me.