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'Brothers' unnecessary remake

Published Dec. 11, 2009

If you have seen the trailer for the new drama "Brothers," then you have essentially seen the entire movie. Although the focus of the film switches to a slightly unexpected theme, the bulk of the content is the same material we have been seeing for the past few months in its 30-second teaser spot. Luckily, a round of powerfully compelling performances elevate "Brothers" past ho-hum and lend a voice to an otherwise stale film.

"Brothers" is based on the critically acclaimed 2004 Danish film "Brødre." The film's content remained the same. The only change to speak of is the language in which the film is shot. This might leave many people with the question of why the film was remade in the first place. Clearly, the story of a U.S. Marine captured in Afghanistan would be best told in an American setting, but without any sort of distinguishing feature from the original film, "Brothers" fails to validate itself.

In any case, as the trailers promised, "Brothers" follows the story of the Cahills. Grace's (Natalie Portman) husband Sam (Tobey Maguire) is shipped out to Afghanistan for active duty and per war-movie cliché, his helicopter is shot down over enemy lines.

Back in America, Grace struggles to cope with Sam's apparent death and falls back on his parolee brother, Tommy (Jake Gyllenhaal). Grace and Tommy start to fall for each other when Sam resurfaces in the U.S., addled with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

What stands out in "Brothers" is the performances. Tobey Maguire has turned in what is easily the best performance of his career. As Sam Cahill, Maguire showcases a level of intensity no one could have foreseen in his skinny frame. In the first few scenes, Maguire is the portrait of paternal love, but the second the helicopter crashes, a ferocious glint of survival hardens his exterior. This hardened exterior is not replaced when he returns home, but Maguire coats it with off-putting silence.

Portman and Gyllenhaal carry their half of the film with ease. The pair is so natural together that their burgeoning romance seemed nothing less than right. The actors also possess the talent necessary to pull off the harshness of the situation dealt to them. Had Portman and Gyllenhaal been any less of the actors they are, the writing would have seemed strained and fake.

The true pleasure of "Brothers" is Baliee Madison. Playing the Cahill's 10-year-old daughter Isabelle, Madison is able to rise above the usual child-acting trick of crying on cue. Madison is able to make the audience feel her emotions, something some actors twice her age struggle to do.

"Brothers" brings to light two unique concepts: how a family must move on without a fallen patriarch and the effects of PTSD on soldiers and their families. Unfortunately, the first idea is abandoned with the re-emergence of Sam and the resolution of the film only makes PTSD seem hokey. Not to mention, the introduction of these themes meant abandoning the exploration of sibling rivalry and brotherly love between Sam and Tommy.

The film almost seems half-finished and so many avenues are left untouched that viewers might feel cheated. In spite of this incomplete feel, Maguire, Portman and Gyllenhaal's gripping performances have made the film watchable, if only for fans of the drama genre.