The Brothers (2001)

Four friends begin to question women and relationships when one of them announces impending nuptials.

Director:

Gary Hardwick

Writer:

Gary Hardwick

Stars:

Morris Chestnut, D.L. Hughley, Bill Bellamy

1 win & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Morris Chestnut	...	Jackson Smith
D.L. Hughley	...	Derrick West
Bill Bellamy	...	Brian Palmer
Shemar Moore	...	Terry White
Gabrielle Union	...	Denise Johnson
Tatyana Ali	...	Cherie Smith
Jenifer Lewis	...	Louise Smith
Tamala Jones	...	Sheila West
Clifton Powell	...	Fred Smith
Susan Dalian	...	BeBe Fales
Marla Gibbs	...	Mary West
Julie Benz	...	Jesse Caldwell
Vanessa Bell Calloway	...	Dr. Thelma Woolridge
Angelle Brooks	...	Judge Carla Williams
Kimberly Scott	...	Redena's Mom

Storyline

"The Brothers" traces the journey of four African-American men as they take on love, sex, friendship and two of life's most terrifying prospects honesty and commitment. Smart, successful and sexy, Jackson Smith, Brian Palmer, Derrick West and Terry White are "The Brothers" lifelong friends banded together to weather love's innate terrors and occasional triumphs in this brazenly comic yet painfully true exploration of the battle between the sexes. Amidst the career track, basketball and bar hopping, "The Brothers" love women, as many as possible, but shocking revelation tests the foursome's friendship and changes their dating habits forever.

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Plot Keywords:

friend | friendship | african american | basketball | blue bra | 

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Taglines:

Refusing To Exhale

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong sexual content and language

Details

Official Sites:

Columbia TriStar Sony / Screen Gems

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

23 March 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bracia

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$6,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£59,542 (UK) (28 September 2001)

Gross:

£59,542 (UK) (28 September 2001)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Screen Gems

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Derrick West: I don't play, woman. I quit school 'cuz of recess!

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Crazy Credits

The end credits feature out takes.

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Connections

References Amistad (1997)

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Soundtracks

"I'm Through"
Performed by Cassie

User Reviews

Great premise, but.........

As someone who is always pleased to see African-Americans depicted in a positive light in films that have nothing to do with drugs, crime, or violence, I was eager to catch "The Brothers". It seemed on the surface to be the male version of "Waiting to Exhale". The story of four Black professional males dealing with the universal problems of intimacy, relationships, and dating made for a unique and refreshing concept. However, compared to other dramas such as "The Best Man" and "Love Jones", this movie seemed to fall flat.

The acting performance of Morris Chestnut is really a standout here. Ever since his breakthrough as Tre in "Boyz in the Hood", he has really proven himself to be a great and capable actor when given the right material. His character, Jackson, seems to be the only one with any dimension at all. It's just sad that he hasn't been able to crossover and achieve the acclaim and attention that his "Boyz" co-star Cuba Gooding, Jr. has been able to do. The rest of the entourage, however, is not quite as impressive. D.L. Hughley, who is one of the funniest performers out there, seemed sedated and unconvincing in his role as the sexually unsatisfied husband longing for more "intimate" contact with his wife (Tamala Jones). When given the right material, Hughley can really shine and the role just didn't seem to suit him. Bill Bellamy, one of the most overrated comedians out there, really is the most disappointing. After watching his performance, I am even more convinced that he is just not capable of acting. I find many of his performances to be over the top, full of buffoonery, and well frankly, just not funny. His character, the obnoxious attorney who has complete contempt for women, could have been played better by someone who is funny but also someone who is able to create believablity and add layer to the character. Shemar Moore of "The Young and the Restless" fame seemed to hold his own with the rest of them, and does a decent job as the executive who is happily expecting to marry the woman whom he finally discovers is "the right one". The rest of the cast does a mediocre job with a script too bland to be memorable.

There are some amusing points here, but overall the film doesn't have many. My recommendation is 5 out of 10.