Genres

Visitors Review

Jetty 2012-05-18 02:13:04

Love Blooms from a Con

This was a well developed story even though you could see the end a mile away, but the way it played out was still engaging. And the way Stephen went out was poignantly sad - keep the Kleenex handy. The operative phrase of the film is that the perfect con is one where everyone gets what they want, and it plays out in a touching way. Recommended for sophisticates.

Lee Eisenberg 2012-05-17 09:36:59

con heir

When I first read about "The Brothers Bloom", it sounded like lightcomedy. It turned out that the movie is a little more than that. AdrienBrody and Mark Ruffalo play con artist brothers trying to carry out onefinal con, in which they go after wealthy heiress Rachel Weisz. Themovie is actually a little more complex than any description is goingto make it sound. Still, it's not a masterpiece by any stretch. Maybeit's just that when I expect comedy, I prefer either something totallysilly or biting satire, while this movie is very light. Therelationships are developed somewhat, but the movie seems too patotherwise. Nonetheless, I did like a lot of the cinematography.Also starring Rinko Kikuchi (the teenage girl in "Babel"), RobbieColtrane (Hagrid in the Harry Potter movies), Maximilian Schell andRicky Jay.

Scott-101 2012-05-10 17:20:22

Beautiful film that just doesn't add up

The Brothers Bloom, dir. Rian Johnson-The film had some very goodelements: -The visual look was terrific. I wasn't sure if it was aperiod piece or it was set in the late 2000's, because there was adefinite lack of cell phones and other modern day aparatuses in theframe. It was very retro, yet very much in the present -Rachel Weiczwas such a fascinating character. How could a woman that beautiful andrich be so lonely? Weicz manages to pull it off. An absolutely amazingperformance and kudos to her for learning all those talents (apparentlyshe had to learn all those talents) -Some of the dialogue wasexceptional. Penelope's speech about reinventing her life and refusingto see her loneliness as a weakness was definitely thought-provoking.At the same time, the film on the whole didn't make any sense. It wastoo many twists to the point where you just didn't care what was goingon screen because none of it was real and there wasn't much suspense toconvince you that the film might have been heading in any otherdirection. It would have always made more sense for Adrian Brody'scharacter to just marry Penelope and inherit her fortune.

Dorian Tenore-Bartilucci 2012-05-10 03:56:43

Part Con-Man Caper, Part Romantic Comedy, Part Family Dramedy, All Entertainment!

Rian Johnson, the writer/director of the Dashiell Hammett-inspired 2005high school noir BRICK, proves he's not a flash in the pan with his newaction-comedy-adventure, THE BROTHERS BLOOM (TBB) It's hard for me tosing this movie's praises without giving away its many twists and funsurprises, so let me just say it's a deft blend of quirky,globe-trotting con-man caper, daffy romantic comedy, and surprisinglypoignant family dramedy about brothers at a crossroads, not to mentiongorgeous to look at with its colorful surroundings and a fashion sensethat's hip and sharp without being obnoxious.The whole cast is wonderful, but I was particularly taken by RachelWeisz and Adrien Brody. Weisz blossoms like a flower filmed intime-lapse photography as Penelope, the lonely heiress who's thrilledto throw herself into the Bloom brothers' shenanigans using the skillsshe's gleaned from other people's hobbies. I particularly enjoyed hergoofy/passionate reactions when she's kissed by Adrien Brody'scharacter, Bloom (that's the only name he's addressed by in the film;it's one of the few things that's never explained), and we realize thisis the very first time Penelope has EVER been kissed by ANY man! AsBloom, Brody is a fine match for Weisz, doing a gentle comedic take onthe soulful characters he does so well as he finds himself falling inlove with Penelope, longing for an "unscripted life" instead of livingjust to populate the elaborate, "Russian-novel"-like con games createdby older, craftier brother Stephen (Mark Ruffalo, an endearinglyscruffy rogue). Rinko Kikuchi steals every scene as walking sight gagBang Bang, so-called because she's a whiz with explosives, practicingon toys cobbled together from old Barbie dolls and other playthings.Robbie Coltrane and Maximilian Schell round out the cast quite nicelyindeed, particularly Schell's colorful turn as the dangerous DiamondDog, the Fagin type who taught the brothers everything they know.Admittedly, it would have been nice to know exactly how Penelope talkedher way out of the trouble she got into with the Prague police --another of the aforementioned few things that's never explained. I wasleft assuming Penelope simply bought her way out of it; she IS rich,after all. :-) Still, the film was so entertaining otherwise, it seemschurlish to nit-pick.For those of you who loved BRICK, keep an eye out for some of its castmembers, including its femme fatale Nora Zehetner in an early scene.TBB is not only a thoroughly enjoyable con-man movie, but I'd go so faras to say it's the most purely entertaining film Adrien Brody has beenin so far (yes, even more so than Peter Jackson's lollapalooza KINGKONG remake). It's a miracle TBB actually showed up here in our littleburg at all, so look for it in your area. You'll be glad you did!

Kyle Hodgdon 2012-05-08 04:16:35

Fun Con Man Movie

I thought that this was a very fun film with interesting charactersinvolved in an interesting plot. "The Brothers Bloom" reminded me a lot of a Wes Anderson movie. WesAnderson is one of my favorite directors, so I did enjoy the fact thatthis movie struck me as one of his. The movie not only showed good character development, but also had aninteresting plot. It kept the audience with the action the whole waythrough. The cons also added to the interest of the plot. We were neverreally sure if what was happening was fact or if it was yet anothercon.I liked the setting of this movie being in Europe as well. It seemedlike this movie could work being set there a lot better than if it hadbeen set in the United States. This is a fun movie and one that I would really like to see again.

Bruce Burns 2012-05-07 10:27:40

Comedy and Art-house just don't mix

There is a very good reason why most art-house fare is drama. For acomedy to be successful, the people involved have to be willing to lettheir hair down and be silly. But the people who make art-house moviestake themselves and their films quite seriously. As a result, whenart-house filmmakers try their hands at comedy, we get god-awfulpretentiousness and instead of actual jokes we get quirky characterstaken straight from "New Yorker" cartoons with dialog full of obscureliterary allusions. I have only seen six movies that have succeeded inbeing highbrow art films without sacrificing funniness ("Love andDeath", "Slacker", "Barton Fink", "Henry Fool", "Being John Malkovich"and "Stranger Than Fiction") and all of them poke fun at their ownpomposity. Plus Woody Allen, the Coens, and Charlie Kaufmann allstarted out doing straight comedy and only got into the art-house stufflater in their careers, so they already knew from funny."The Brothers Bloom" is not a successful art-house comedy. I realizedit from the opening sequence with third person narration from RickyJay. We meet the two brothers as kids in an upscale small town. Whilethe rest of the kids dress normally, the brothers have Beatle cuts,wear dark suits and wear hats that went out of style in the 1930's. Thenarration reveals writer-director Rian Johnson's ax to grind when itsneers at the "happy, well-adjusted, stable playground bourgeoisie"(God forbid anyone be middle-class *and* happy!). Older brother Stephengets revenge on the local kids (and sets up younger brother Bloom'sunwanted ability to seduce any woman he talks to) by constructing anelaborate con that gets all the kids' clothes dirty and earns thebrothers $30.Fast-forward 25 years. The Beatle cuts and third person narration aregone, but the brothers--now in their middle 30's--still wear dark suitsand old-fashioned hats. Stephen (Mark Ruffalo) is still constructingelaborate cons that also function as great literature (pretentious,no?) with Bloom (Adrien Brody) and mute Japanese munitions expert "BangBang" (Rinko Kikuchi). Bloom wants out because the cons invariably leadto women throwing themselves at him, which he is extremelyuncomfortable with. Eventually he gets up the courage to split forMontenegro and leave the con game behind. But Stephen tracks him downand gets him to agree to the hackneyed One Last Job on a shelteredheiress (Rachel Weisz) who is fluent in multiple languages, can playany musical instrument, and makes homemade cameras all because she wasnever able to leave her house until both parents died when she wasalready past 30.The rest of the movie doesn't make any sense. This could be forgiven ifthe film was actually funny. And since all four leads are good enoughactors that they have been Oscar winners or Oscar nominees, they dotheir best with the material they're given. But the funniest moment iswhen Stephen quips "I'm not sure he's really Belgian." The rest of itis silly hats, quirks, and pointless explosions. And at 113 minutes,it's at least 20 minutes too long for a comedy with no jokes.The Marx Brothers' movies for Paramount and the Monty Python filmsprove that you can make a laugh-out-loud comedy that's alsointelligent. And Woody Allen and Wes Anderson have proved you can alsoadd melancholy and a sophisticated film-making style withoutsacrificing laughs. But "The Brothers Bloom" falls into the same trapas "Box of Moonlight", "Love and Death on Long Island", "I HeartHuckabees" and "Little Miss Sunshine": the screenwriters and/ordirectors are unwilling to do anything that keeps their movie frombeing taken seriously, which defeats the whole purpose of making acomedy. 5 out of 10.

tritisan 2012-04-30 03:17:01

They DO make them like they used to, only better!

What a wonderful surprise: Yesterday my sister calls me and tells methat there's a new film by the director of Brick, playing at the MillValley Film Festival. "I'm there!"Even before we get in the theater, I know we're in for a differentexperience. A pair of toughs with metal detectors wave us down forhidden cameras and demand we turn our cell phones off. I'm surprised wedidn't have to take our shoes off. Endgame Entertainment certainlydoesn't want any leaks.Once inside, the director, Rian Johnson, shows up just before the showstarts, fresh off a flight from Abu Dhabi no less. He gives a shortinterview with Mark Fishkin (long time director of the festival),coming off as a very charming, self-effacing, funny and unpretentiousfellow. I like him immediately. Hollywood has not corrupted him (yet).Like Tarantino, Johnson has closely studied films and makes constantreferences and nods to The Classics, especially from the 40s and 50s.Unlike Tarantino, Johnson writes more original stories and has goodtaste and far gentler sensibilities. Obvious influences include: WesAnderson, The Cohen Bros, Billy Wilder, John Huston.The film itself? Instant classic. It's got all the elements you couldwant in a Hollywood-style movie: Charming characters, plot twists, tonsof gags, an incredibly beautiful leading lady, sumptuous sets andlocations, and an overall sense "gee-whiz-isn't-this-fun!"And it's classy, too. It doesn't resort to needless, sensationalist sexand violence. The writer respects and honors the audience'sintelligence, a all-too-rare occurrence these days.You could tell that the actors had a blast with the sometimes subtle,sometimes slap-stick script, relishing their characters' quirks andfoibles.Overall, Brothers Bloom almost manages perfection. It's one fault liesin the resolution, the last 5 minutes where it's tone abruptly changesfor darker. Without giving anything away, I feel that it was tooheavy-handed, considering the generally light and wacky spirit that hadpredominated. The rest of the audience seemed to feel the same way,given the hushed mood as the credits rolled. If the producers have analternate ending up their sleeves, I suggest they use it, even it hasto be somewhat ambiguous. Otherwise, I'm happy to contribute to the positive buzz. I really thinkBrothers Bloom could be a huge hit, even a timeless classic.

TheBrownBunny66 2012-04-29 06:38:43

Fails at every conceit

I recently saw the preview at the St George Open Air cinema and wasgreatly disappointed with this first outing for rian since themarvelous 'brick'. There was an eerie quiet in the audience as the filmpushed and pulled and jumped about trying every conceivable way to makethe spectacle quirky and funny. Not once did the audience laugh andthrill as every single joke fell flat and the story which started withsuch promise ran out of steam far too early.Adrien Brody is a bore, pulling a slightly saddened, somewhatmysterious face for the majority of the picture, an emotion i call'vacant', and Rachel Weisz while delightful and gorgeous is simplyunderused in a very poorly sketched role. The only light in the film iscourtesy of the infallible Mark Ruffallo whose eccentric brother bloomwears cheekiness like a new suit.The problem with this film is that it doesn't know what it is. Is it acomedy? Can't be, its not funny. Is it a thriller? Nope, not thrilling.Is it a romance? It feels like it is trying occasionally, but it wouldappear to rather concentrate on absurdities such as a crazy Asiansidekick who likes to blow the crap out of things.The final nail is the absolute confoundingness of the story. There isabsolutely no logic in this film and for such a light pamper it isinfuriatingly confusing. In Brick this was admirable because it was sowell paced, and the acting and dialogue was awesome that it haddirection and thus a reason to focus. With so many hijinks occurring inBrothers Bloom one can barely focus on the story at the fatality ofanother ill thought out joke.An absolute constructed mess. Avoid

jbe-6 2012-04-28 17:35:06

Original, quirky and very entertaining

Rian Johnson has made a very original film in The Brothers Bloom. OK,they're con men, they wear black hats and we know there will be twistsand turns, but this movie moves around like a travelling fairground.The whole shebang packs up and moves somewhere else just when youthought you were on familiar ground. The Rachel Weiss character isoddly reminiscent of Elaine May in 'The New Leaf', not so ditsy, but itcertainly put her back in my head. I loved the way the charactersinteracted, the falseness of everything, from the Brits playingAmericans and the Scot playing a Belgian to the lighting, the odd senseof nostalgia, the anachronistic time frame (when is this movie set?)and the odd dénouement at the very end. Adrian Brody is totallybelievable in every part of the film and all the other characters movearound him like the horses on a carousel. One minute they're up, thenext they're down. I loved it. 10/10.

SophomoreSlump 2012-04-28 12:40:52

The Feel Good Movie of the Year

The Brothers Bloom tells the story of two orphan siblings that grew upconning people and often with the assistant of the silent Bang Bang,their muscleman in the scheme. One day, the little brother, Bloom wantsto quit and have a normal life. But the big brother, Stephen, offershim one last con and then he'd be free to live his life. The plan wassimple. They were to con a beautiful and eccentric heiress by givingher the time of her life, while sucking her money on the way. Butthere's a problem: Bloom fell in love with her.The story is simple and very effective. It feels like a movie from the40's or 50's. It's one of those feel good movies that'll make you smilethroughout the movie and make you sigh and smile some more when itends. The storyline is also laced with twists and turns that will shockyou and keep you guessing until the end.The characters are so lovable and often funny. The acting is top-notchand even Oscar-worthy I might add. The star of the movie, I've to say,is Rachel Weisz playing the eccentric heiress Penelope. She reallycaptures the souls of the audience and makes us fall in love with hercharacter. Mark Ruffalo did a great job playing Stephen, a slick conman, like he's been doing it for years. Adrian Brody really shows us adifferent side of him by playing the little brother Bloom who getsslightly controlled by his brother and always does what he's told.Another star of the movie is Rinko Kikuchi playing the silent Bang Bangwithout any dialogue save for one profanity and a karaoke scene.The cinematography is very beautiful. It transports you into adifferent world, in a way.I am shocked that this movie did not get the hype that it deserves. Butif you would like to watch a movie that will make you feel happy andgood, then this movie is for you. You can follow the crowd and watch ablockbuster movie, but watch this if you want true quality.

2012-04-27 03:50:11

Interesting and New!

This review is from: The Brothers Bloom (DVD) The Brother's Bloom is the story of two brothers. Stephen, consumed with the idea of creating the perfect on and Bloom, dragged along into his meticulously thought out story lines embedded with symbolism. In one of their last cons before Bloom leaves the business for good, he ends of falling for the target, Penelope. This leads into a whirlwind of action where you're never really sure what's a con and what's real. Is Stephen still in charge of the con or have things taken an unexpected turn? With the help of Bang Bang an oriental pyromaniac they play the part in a con that will change their lives forever. This movie provides the perfect combination of whimsical comedy with a serious tone.

Howard Schumann 2012-04-26 12:08:01

Does not quite come alive in any genre

Part con-man comedy, part action-adventure, and part serious drama,Rian Johnson's second feature The Brothers Bloom does not quite comealive in any genre. The film has some recognizable stars such as AdrienBrody, Mark Ruffalo, and Rachel Weisz and contains some beautifulcinematography in exotic locations but never gels into a cohesive,satisfying movie experience. Introducing the brothers as children whohave been rejected by thirty eight sets of foster parents, Johnsontells us that the older, more confident and aggressive brother Stephen,began to write stories at an early age, describing schemes for theyounger shy and passive Bloom to act out, usually involving getting agirl.Narrated by magician Ricky Jay, one con involved a prank in which anentire town was duped into dirtying their clothes after striking a dealwith a dry cleaner. Another con involved his brother, eager to impressa sweet girl he is too shy to approach, brings the girl and all herfriends to what they think is a magic cave. Fast forward twenty fiveyears and the adult brothers are still up to their old tricks – withone wrinkle. The sad and lonely Bloom (Adrien Brody) wants to stop allthe cons and discover his authentic self but is persuaded by Stephen(Mark Ruffalo) to do one more trick. Tracking him down in Montenegro,Stephen explains an elaborate scheme involving a wealthy but boredheiress that he hopes will bring the brothers wealth and Bloom the lovehe needs.With the assistance of their silent female companion Bang Bang (RinkoKikuchi), they set out to con the hobby-addicted Penelope (RachelWeisz). In one of the most wildly inventive scenes of the film, amontage depicts all of the hobbies that Penelope has collected:ping-pong, playing a variety of musical instruments including thebanjo, singing rap music, break dancing, riding a unicycle and jugglingchainsaws. Seeking adventure, Penelope is an easy target for thebrother's plan which involves stealing a rare book, but things becomescomplicated when she falls in love with Bloom on a Mediterraneancruise.As twist follows twist and the action becomes convoluted, newcharacters are introduced such as a Belgian named Melville (RobbieColtrane) and the boys' original mentor Diamond Dog (MaximillianSchell) who is now their nemesis. Director Rian Johnson explained thathis intention with The Brothers Bloom was to twist the genre intosomething unique and fun, but somewhere along the line the fundisappears, replaced by an awkward self-consciousness. While it isquite a challenge to attempt to figure out what is real and what is acon, the film goes on too long and loses its flow when it attempts tointroduce serious drama into what has essentially been a charming,screwball comedy. Although the conclusion has some moments of genuineemotion, in a film that repeatedly promotes the idea that life is a conand that nothing really matters, how can we be expected to care?

snewhous 2012-04-25 15:20:04

Fabulous Follow-up to 'Brick' Wows, Exceeds Expectations

Fresh-faced writer-director Rian Johnson does the unthinkable with hisfollow-up to 2005 cult hit "Brick," starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt: heactually outdoes himself, by again creating a fantastical yetbelievable universe with cinematic fiction. "The Brothers Bloom" is asambitious as second films get -- it's about everything and nothing,with a plot that takes its characters trotting across Europe in an erathat could be 2010 but which at times seems more like 1810, as theycontemplate the meaning of life and art. This film would not have worked without its incredible cast. AdrienBrody and Mark Ruffalo throw themselves full-on into the story, RachelWeisz is again at the top of the form as the dreamlike, beautiful andhaunting Penelope; and the supporting cast from Rinko Kikuchi to RobbieColtrane are also having lots of fun along the ride. The originalsoundtrack is beautiful; the photography is beautiful, dynamic,colorful and daring; what is there to complain about?Actually, quite a bit. There are holes in the plot, certain logicalinconsistencies, and a general feeling that the film has more "heart"than "head," if I can put it that way. It's a bit confusing and theplot can buck you if you're not careful. However, after a secondviewing I found that the plot does make sense, if you pay attention;and if you'll let it get into your head, there are rewarding depths ofprofundity and meaning in the tiniest details. This is a film to bewatched again and again.That said, I found the film to be so enjoyable and so original that itearns a 10/10 despite its flaws -- like a brief hint of a plot with asupposed nemesis that goes absolutely nowhere (save in the deletedscenes). I would also like to comment that the DVD has the best behind-the-scenes featurette of any DVD I've seen; instead of a hodgepodge ofscenes from the movie you just watched, it's sincere, fun fly-on-the-wall hand-held footage of the actors and crew hard at work. We can'twait to see what this wunderkind does with his next project, Looper,which "is set in a present-day world in which a group of hit men aresent their victims from the future."

2012-04-25 04:57:56

What a weird film!

I loved the first part of this film. After all, what red-blooded American doesn't like a con film? And this one had all the desired elements: clever writing, great filming, nice acting, plus two quirky brothers, a beautiful heiress, a blond Japanese woman named "bang-bang" (you find out why later), a one-eyed Austrian, tangos, roses, castles... I was enchanted, because I knew that I was in for a quirky, magical-realism, romantic treat. And, when it looked like the plot was wrapping up, I hunkered down and got set for a predictable, but satisfying ending. (Sad sack hero reveals all to his enamorata and they live happily ever after.)Wrong, wrong, wrong. After it was SUPPOSED to end, the movie goes on for another age and a half, with more cons, cons within cons, darkness, death and destruction. The ending, when it eventually came, was a let-down, if only because even in this improbable story, it was too improbable. I know the message was meant to be: "write your own life", or something along those lines. But, frankly, that message, along with all the good features of this film and none of its drawbacks, was better expressed in Joe Versus the Volcano.

Chris Knipp 2012-04-22 23:30:10

Charm, appeal, nice clothes, not enough danger

Rian Johnson's debut feature 'Brick' was appealingly offbeat. Itapplied the style of film noir to an American high school, with thealways-interesting and audacious young actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt asthe young private eye. However intricate -- perhaps contrived -- theaction was in Brick there was a constant sense of something beingdiscovered that was already "there." There's much to like about RianJohnson's sophomore effort, an imaginative, character-based caper moviecalled The Brothers Bloom. But it sags in the middle because, for allits charm, it feels like an artificial construct from first to last.Sometimes it just gets a little too clever for its own good.In a jaunty opening prologue, the brothers are shown as cute littletykes in dark suits and bowler hats being rejected by one foster familyafter another due to their misbehavior, which early on drifts intolarceny. They con a group of well-off schoolchildren into paying themfor the privilege of entering a magical cave, and though they getcaught and have to return the money, they profit from a kickback dealwith a dry cleaning establishment because the kids get coated with mudin the cave. This whole sequence has a nice nostalgic-movie-flashbacklook, though the idea that children's clothing goes to the dry cleanersis far-fetched.Brothers Bloom follows the "one last job" premise. Jumping ahead to thepresent, we find the brothers have become thirty-something veterans ofmany jointly executed con jobs. Mastermind Stephen (Mark Ruffalo) luresback disenchanted younger brother Bloom (Adrien Brody) for anabsolutely final, this-is-it caper involving ransom to be paid by alonely, bored, very rich young woman called Penelope Stamp (RachelWeisz).Johnson used his budget on explosions and locations and elaboratestagings of things. There are quick run-throughs of earlier cons, andin a brief speeded- up sequence the film shows us Penelope's dazzlingaccomplishment level at her various "hobbies." To while away her timeshe has mastered ping pong, half a dozen musical instruments, martialarts, tumbling, juggling, pinhole cameras, and so on. For some reasonshe can't drive worth a damn and keeps wrecking a stream of new yellowLamborghinis. As the last one crashes, a truck is already driving up todeliver the replacement. Johnson is reveling in a budget that allowshim to wreck Lamborghinis, but most of all delighting in theartificiality of the movie game.Bloom and Penelope meet cute when the brothers arrange for her to runhim over with her current yellow Lamborghini. Once ensnared she'sfurther lured into an elaborate gambit that takes them from New Jerseyto Prague to the Mediterranean to Mexico and back. The trick is theymake her think she's in on the con, not aware that she's the one beingfleeced. Wouldn't you know it though, Bloom falls for her and that gumsup the works.Wiesz, who is English, really gets into her role and enjoys not onlyseeming totally American but alternately remote and childishlyenthusiastic, as the character of the spoiled, inexperienced Peneloperequires. She's so good even when she's jumping for joy it doesn't feeloverdone.One of the greatest pleasures of a movie that comes to seemincreasingly over-elaborate and self-involved is observing AdrienBrody's tall, lean, fashion model body enveloped in a succession ofimmaculately tailored suits. He may have signed up for this movieexpecting something on the level of his previous project, WesAnderson's ingenious, stylish 'Darjeeling Limited' where he was one ofseveral eccentric brothers. Brody has an appealing, soulful presence.He does the soulful sad thing very well, but isn't capable of strikingmany other notes, which may explain why his soulful-sad wasting-awaywalk-through in Roman Polanski's The Pianist got him an Academy Award,but he's not lived up to the expectations that triumph aroused. ThePianist may be his one great role; but I like watching him modelbeautiful clothes.Ruffalo is a funny kind of brother for Bloom, since he's alwaysrumpled-looking. The best suits are wasted on him. So is the role of acon mastermind, because he is best at playing weak people. His highpoint may have been the no-account brother in Kenneth Lonergan's 'YouCan Count on Me.' He's an energetic, supple actor who can do moredifferent roles than Brody, but he somehow lacks the wiliness andenergy of an ingenious grifter.The film has an fanciful Sixties flavor, and is adorned with eccentriccharacters. The Curator (Robbie Coltrane) is book expert who's Belgian(or may not be), Diamond Dog (Maximillian Schell) is an old mentor, andBang Bang (Rinko Kikuchi) is a nearly mute Asian pal whose specialty isnitroglycerin. Banig Bang's explosions get out of hand, though again aswith the car crashes it's hard to tell if this serves the plot or issimply Johnson playing around with his bigger budget.Apart from the pleasure of Brody's outfits and how well he wears themthere is further eye candy in the film's intense color, especially itsrich reds and blacks.With its intricate plot replete with classic Hollywood and alsoliterary overtones, Brothers Bloom might profit from re-watchings, ifyou'd care to sit through the movie again. I wouldn't, because Johnsondoesn't' get the fundamental aspects of con jobs right. Watch StephenFrears' classic 'The Grifters 'to see what I mean. You've got to haveactors who project meanness, energy and smarts (Angelica Houston andJohn Cusack fill the bill; Brody and Ruffalo don't). And you've got toconvey a sense or real mystery and danger; this mostly doesn't. It'sonly when the real starts to overwhelm the make-believe that Johnson'spervasive sense of romance takes hold and the real purpose of Stephen'scontrivances -- to make his brother happy -- becomes touching.

brentlopez100 2012-04-22 12:50:51

Some Like It Oddly Hot

Three capable reliable actors with a bunch of equally talentedsupporters doesn't guarantee a proper comedy-drama. But when you got afilm grad from USC with a quirky vision and a foot in the door of the"classics", there's a better chance of success. And remember, it's verydifficult to make a balancing act genre comedy-dramaSuccess doesn't mean monetary, ever. What matters is capturing anempathetic audience, especially if the audience isn't eccentric,conniving or handsome. Like Weiss, Ruffalo and Brody.The atmosphere speaks of Lemmon, Curtis and Monroe in "Some Like ItHot." Perhaps, I'm projecting, but it seems since you can't remake"Hot", Rian Johnson (more Irish than Irish) simply takes theinspiration and creates something else just as magical for the 2000's.Enough yap, see it, respecting the past and looking forward to thefilmmaker's future, and enjoy Rinko Kikuchi. She may not speak English,but she knows what you're saying and thinking.

2012-04-21 08:33:59

The Con is On

Brothers Bloom has been a good Blu with some fun writing that has played well for customers. It has been out for three months now but it has still maintained a solid sale/rental run through word-of-mouth.The film follows a triumvirate of cons (Ruffalo, Brody and the wonderfully mute Kikuchi - admittedly her first line at the one hour mark is priceless) swindling their way around the world performing wonderful acts of trickery and thievery. They choose one last mark in that of getting some money out of a rich woman played quite well by Weisz. The plot twists, turns and cons until the last scene and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing. It had humor, wit, love, treachery, great landscapes and architecture all wound into a fun story.The Blu looked beautiful throughout, and even the CGI scenes came across without too much fault. There are plenty of clear day and solid night shots to test the color palette and contrasts. The DTS sounded wonderful, including a good mix on the narration element, shooting scenes and explosions. The supplements are thorough and include:* 12:30 minutes of Sketch to Celluloid, a three part split screen showing of the process from storyboard to finished product, has a brief director's commentary.* 15:34 minute segment on the making of, a great non-narrated/non-interviewed behind the scenes divided up into the different filming locations by country. Loved it - I have always liked these kinds of docus.* 3:14 minute Image Gallery, another similar sketch to film imagery that self rotates.* 33 minutes of deleted scenes with optional director's commentary. Wow. I sat through these twice as I did not take the director's advice (he intros the scenes with the request that you turn on his commentary before watching them - I did not). There were so many that I felt were wrongfully cut, but I suppose the film felt long enough as it was. Great scenes though.Overall - an outstanding Blu package well worth the money if you are fan of any of these cast members. It has caught the attention of every customer walking by the screenings, hope you enjoy.

mywillee 2012-04-20 21:54:33

Could've been good

If you're going to watch this movie don't expect satisfaction at theend of the road, just enjoy the trip.I gave it a 5 because the acting was great. The plot however wasn't. Itstarts off with some promise, the life of the young brothers bloom. Asone commentator mentioned, the characters deep wants and desires andtheir interaction with each other is developed in detail. However, whatfaults this movie is it's not in the least believable. You see, thereare some things in the movie that should've been explained.They are not necessary for the character development but they areessential to explain some of the events that happened which helpadvance the plot and even to explain how and why the end was as it was.I think that the screenwriters spent enough time on characterdevelopment and they had great actors to back that up but such littletime on the plot and its cohesion that it lacks believability.Could've been good ...

2012-04-17 11:51:19

One of the Worst Movies I've Ever Seen

I saw this mess at AFI Dallas. Ridiculous plot -- it made no sense. Horrible acting. Even worse writing. I would have left after 20 minutes except that I was with a friend and sitting in the middle of a row. As the ending credits started to roll, we both bolted out of our seats. Quickly walking out the exit, we turned to each other and said at the same time "That was awful!!!!"

2012-04-16 19:09:58

Amazing!!!

This review is from: The Brothers Bloom (DVD) Amazing Film!! Great acting, great stories, and a truly meaningful story. This will certainly be in my permanent collection of movies!