Brothers

"Brothers"
Starring: Tobey Maguire, Jake Gyllenhaal, Natalie Portman, Sam Shepard
Grade: C

Jim Sheridan's new film "Brothers," based off of a Danish film of the same name is well intentioned and features some good performance, but in the end adds up to very little. It stars 3 of the most talented young actors going. Tobey Maguire, Jake Gyllenhhal, and Natalie Portman. It's up to these 3 to make the story plausible and with meaning, and while they try there best, none of them can make up for the uninspired script by David Benioff, who also wrote "25th Hour," which is one of my favorite films of the decade.

Maguire who gives maybe the most convincing performance plays Sam Cahill, a career military man, husband, and father. Sam is married to Grace played by Portman, in a restrained yet quietly effective role. They have two young daughters, who are written to be cute and funny for the sake of comic relief throughout the film. As the film opens, Sam is about to leave for Afghanistan, but not before he can pick up his screw up brother from prison. Gyllenhaal plays Tommy, a well intentioned guy who is seen as a failure in the eyes of his dad Hank, played by Sam Shepard. Hank openly favors Sam, as they've both served their country. The script hits us way over the top with Tommy and Hank not seeing eye to eye.

The story progresses as Sam and one of his fellow soldiers are taken captive by Afghan troops, they're starved, tired, and running out of options until a bizarre plot development enters the film. Meanwhile back at home, Grace gets false news that Sam has been killed in the line of duty, Tommy steps into the father role to console Grace and the kids, as they all start to become happy again.

The Afghan scenes are uninspired. Sam stresses to his friend not to give out any information to the enemy, but he betrays his beliefs and more in order to get home. This plot device serves as a cliche and improper motivation for his characters transformation once he arrives home.

Sheridan does his best to direct with a sure and inspiring hand, but the material just isn't there. Once Maguire's character arrives back home there are a few decent scenes, but nothing to bring the film together as a coherent and credible whole. The daughters clearly favor Tommy, and they let Sam know in a hurry, causing him to lash out in anger and frustration.

There is a part in the film when Portman and Gyllenhaal are exchanging dialogue over smoking pot, Portman's character describes herself in high school to Tommy. "I was such a cliche." Yes, you and the movie. While I was mildly engaged at times, "Brothers," does little to redeem itself by the final act, which comes around way too quickly.

Director Jim Sheridan has proved that he can make fine films, but "Brothers," will not be remembered as one his achievements, the film is well intentioned, but never decides what it wants to be, and how it wants to be.