Brothers is a 2009 American drama-war film starring Tobey Maguire, Jake Gyllenhaal and Natalie Portman. Directed by Jim Sheridan, the film is based on Susanne Bier’s 2004 Danish film Brothers (Brødre) which takes place in Afghanistan and Denmark.

I prefer the Danish version to the American remake. I felt like director Jim Sheridan missed a lot in his translation of the film. In Susanne Bier’s film the characters were more complex, and you could feel their pain as the Captain began to unravel. And you could see his beloved wife torn between the relationship she has built with his brother and the love she has for her husband.

This American version was flat, and a little Hollywood. Tobey Maguire was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor for his role, but I was very unimpressed by it. His emotion was displayed by various outbursts, with little or no sedulity. The scene in the kitchen when he has completely come undone was a very important point in the movie and I felt completely unmoved by it.

Some people have found the ending to be a letdown, and in this version it is. In the Danish film it is what isn’t said that makes it much more believable.

I guess what I am trying to get at is that you should see the 2004 Danish film if you are at all interested in this story. You won’t be disappointed. – [DVD] [Blu-Ray]

Drama/Thriller/War

Rated R

DVD Release Date: 3/23/10

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