...he got lost somewhere....
(hits drum)
I don't specifically recall if it ever hit theaters here in Erie pre-dollar theater but alas last weekend it arrived! and I wanted to go see it, I have wanted to see it since I first heard about it (see summer movies preview) so I seized that opportunity. and it was a fifty cents well-spent! (what else can you get for that little anymore? not even a cup of coffee! I bemoan.)
"The Brothers Bloom" is one of those movies you should see, in the theater on a day when the air conditioning feels wonderful (we haven't been having an abundance of those lately) because it's a movie built for entertaining, SLIGHTLY high-brow, with the feel of film from the Golden Era of Hollywood. Well, that crossbred with something by the likes of Wes Anderson.
It's the next film for Rian Johnston following the acclaimed "Brick," which I, uh, haven't seen still (errrr). It features a highly unusual cast, for a comedy (of sorts). Adrien Brody? Rachel Weisz? seriously? (offnote: ADRIEN BRODY WAS IN "ANGELS IN THE OUTFIELD." THAT MOVIE WAS MY SHIT IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL okay back to topic).
seriously! it works! Rachel Weisz- who won an Oscar for her work in "The Constant Gardener" opposite Ralph Fiennes- is a delight, playing an eccentric shut-in girlchild. She and Brody manage a convincing chemistry together.
Brody and Ruffalo star as con artists, who have been at their elaborate acts since their formative years (we see in an opening flashback of their elementary school days). Ruffalo is the dominative brother, playing his schemes like "Russian novels," adding in symbolism and literary elements (I was impressed with this, as I was to the obscure Melville reference).
I've never been able to take Ruffalo that seriously as an actor, but I think this movie shifted my opinion of him to one somewhat better. As the sometimes skeevy but ultimately likeable (redeemed) Stephen. He and Brody, who acts the sensitive artistic pussy role (which alternates between sympathizing and wanting to punch him, sympathizing and wanting to punch him), are believable as brothers (apparently a "bromance" stewed on this film between them. mmm, bromance.)
The plot circles around this: Bloom (Brody) wants out of the con business and to live an "unwritten" life (which the movie's tagline references, "there is no such thing as an unwritten life," I beg to differe, NOBODY'S WRITING MY LIFE AND THIS IS SOME INTERESTING SHIT DANIELLE STEELE). So he ditches his brother after their latest conquest and leaves for Montenegro. What a life! Months later, Stephen reappears with one last offer, where they whisk the daughter of deceased millionaires off her feet and across the globe and take her money in the process.
Of course, this plot fails. Love, globetrotting and chaos ensue. The scenery is really to die for. Prague, Mexico, Russia. it's a whirlwind.
And there's something for everyone- comedy, romance, plenty of explosions (thanks to the mostly mute "Bang Bang," played by Rinko Kikuchi, aka masterbating girl from "Babel"). However, at times it's a bit confusing and a bit too much. This movie could have easily lost an hour and been a lot more effective (and more fun). Towards the end, it's too heavyhanded, although (THANK GOD) the conclusion was a happy one.
A lot of this movie reminded me of the larger-than-life style of "Pushing Daisies" but not as romantic, not as dramatic (up until the last portion, that is) and not quite as colorful. But definitely in that vein.
Still, "The Brothers Bloom" is a nice alternative to "The Ugly Truth," "Bruno" and that stupid movie about the killers on the island with Steve Zahn. need I say more? it deserves your time, although Johnston could have easily made better use of part of that time. it earns a B in my book.
shout-out to semi-local beer Yuengling. first time I ever heard that referenced in a film!
"The Brothers Bloom" unfortunately is no longer at any area theaters, BUT will be out on DVD come...soon. couldn't find an exact date, but hey. SOON helps, right?
- Brittany
(hits drum)
I don't specifically recall if it ever hit theaters here in Erie pre-dollar theater but alas last weekend it arrived! and I wanted to go see it, I have wanted to see it since I first heard about it (see summer movies preview) so I seized that opportunity. and it was a fifty cents well-spent! (what else can you get for that little anymore? not even a cup of coffee! I bemoan.)
"The Brothers Bloom" is one of those movies you should see, in the theater on a day when the air conditioning feels wonderful (we haven't been having an abundance of those lately) because it's a movie built for entertaining, SLIGHTLY high-brow, with the feel of film from the Golden Era of Hollywood. Well, that crossbred with something by the likes of Wes Anderson.
It's the next film for Rian Johnston following the acclaimed "Brick," which I, uh, haven't seen still (errrr). It features a highly unusual cast, for a comedy (of sorts). Adrien Brody? Rachel Weisz? seriously? (offnote: ADRIEN BRODY WAS IN "ANGELS IN THE OUTFIELD." THAT MOVIE WAS MY SHIT IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL okay back to topic).
seriously! it works! Rachel Weisz- who won an Oscar for her work in "The Constant Gardener" opposite Ralph Fiennes- is a delight, playing an eccentric shut-in girlchild. She and Brody manage a convincing chemistry together.
Brody and Ruffalo star as con artists, who have been at their elaborate acts since their formative years (we see in an opening flashback of their elementary school days). Ruffalo is the dominative brother, playing his schemes like "Russian novels," adding in symbolism and literary elements (I was impressed with this, as I was to the obscure Melville reference).
I've never been able to take Ruffalo that seriously as an actor, but I think this movie shifted my opinion of him to one somewhat better. As the sometimes skeevy but ultimately likeable (redeemed) Stephen. He and Brody, who acts the sensitive artistic pussy role (which alternates between sympathizing and wanting to punch him, sympathizing and wanting to punch him), are believable as brothers (apparently a "bromance" stewed on this film between them. mmm, bromance.)
The plot circles around this: Bloom (Brody) wants out of the con business and to live an "unwritten" life (which the movie's tagline references, "there is no such thing as an unwritten life," I beg to differe, NOBODY'S WRITING MY LIFE AND THIS IS SOME INTERESTING SHIT DANIELLE STEELE). So he ditches his brother after their latest conquest and leaves for Montenegro. What a life! Months later, Stephen reappears with one last offer, where they whisk the daughter of deceased millionaires off her feet and across the globe and take her money in the process.
Of course, this plot fails. Love, globetrotting and chaos ensue. The scenery is really to die for. Prague, Mexico, Russia. it's a whirlwind.
And there's something for everyone- comedy, romance, plenty of explosions (thanks to the mostly mute "Bang Bang," played by Rinko Kikuchi, aka masterbating girl from "Babel"). However, at times it's a bit confusing and a bit too much. This movie could have easily lost an hour and been a lot more effective (and more fun). Towards the end, it's too heavyhanded, although (THANK GOD) the conclusion was a happy one.
A lot of this movie reminded me of the larger-than-life style of "Pushing Daisies" but not as romantic, not as dramatic (up until the last portion, that is) and not quite as colorful. But definitely in that vein.
Still, "The Brothers Bloom" is a nice alternative to "The Ugly Truth," "Bruno" and that stupid movie about the killers on the island with Steve Zahn. need I say more? it deserves your time, although Johnston could have easily made better use of part of that time. it earns a B in my book.
shout-out to semi-local beer Yuengling. first time I ever heard that referenced in a film!
"The Brothers Bloom" unfortunately is no longer at any area theaters, BUT will be out on DVD come...soon. couldn't find an exact date, but hey. SOON helps, right?
- Brittany
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