Title: Brothers Director: Jim Sheridan Starring: Toby McGuire, Jake Gyllenhaal, Natalie Portman Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Studio: Lionsgate Genre(s): Drama Rated:         (For language and some disturbing violent content)   Buy From Amazon.com: a / a / a / a / a / a

CONSUMER ADVICE

Parents, there is abusive violence and language, but no sex. Recommended for ages 15 and up.

“Brothers” is without a doubt an instant classic. It proves that not all war movies have to be anti-war to be compelling. It proves that there is still great acting among the young generation in Hollywood. Finally, it proves that acclaimed film director Jim Sheridan has not lost his touch when it comes to making compelling films. His films are not filled with overt explosions or teenage angst, but boy do they pack a wallop. The story is about two brothers. The older brother is Sam (Toby McGuire in an Oscar-worthy performance). Sam is the good son. He has a beautiful wife, two daughters, and is in the Marines (much like his father). He is about to be deployed to Afghanistan. The same day the younger brother Tommy (Jake Gyllenhaal) has just been released from prison.

The reasons for his jail time is not fully disclosed, but the film gives us a few strong hints at what went wrong. Several weeks later Sam is suspected to be killed in battle, when he’s really a prisoner of war. While being a POW Sam does something that will change who he is forever. Back at home Sam’s “death” has affected Tommy greatly, and he starts to clean up his life after his dad tells him in so many words that he should have died instead. All through this Sam’s wife Grace (Natalie Portman) is trying to cope. As the previews suggested Sam is discovered to be alive and comes home. It’s a mixed blessing. I don’t want to spoil too much, but if you want into this thinking it will be an “affair gone wrong” movie then you are grossly mistaken.

Outside of a moment of weakness (a kiss) there is no sex, no affair, and no romantic relationship. A movie about that has already been made (“Closer, which ironically featured Natalie Portman). No, this is about a secret. One that threatens to destroy one man’s life, if not the lives of those close to him. It’s about someone pulling himself out of a hole due to the shocking news of his brothers death. It even features a father getting to know his less popular son better. He may not be happy he survived, but he’s the only son left now. I’ve never thought much about these young actors before, but they turn in performances that solidify them as today’s de Niro’s, Hepburns, and Hoffmans.

McGuire in particular has a stand out performance that should lead to an Oscar nomination and bigger parts in the future. There’s a sadness and pain in his eyes that’s hard to properly display without it being overbearing, but McGuire pulls it off beautifully. Sheridan’s direction is also visually arresting with the widescreen ratio used perfectly to visual distance and closeness. Though he picks and chooses his projects carefully, I believe Sheridan can hold his head high for many years now that he’s directed “Brothers.” It’s a wonderful movie that I hope will be viewed by many for years to come.

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