Four Brothers (2005)

Director:

John Singleton

Writers (WGA):

David Elliot (written by) &
Paul Lovett (written by)

Release Date:

12 August 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

Angel Mercer wants to know who killed his mother.

Plot:

Four brothers look to avenge their mother's death.

Plot Keywords:

Funeral | Murder | Robbery | Ex Convict | Blood Splatter

Awards:

2 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Mark Wahlberg	...	Bobby Mercer
Tyrese Gibson	...	Angel Mercer
André Benjamin	...	Jeremiah Mercer
Garrett Hedlund	...	Jack Mercer
Terrence Howard	...	Lt. Green
Josh Charles	...	Detective Fowler
Sofía Vergara	...	Sofi
Fionnula Flanagan	...	Evelyn Mercer
Chiwetel Ejiofor	...	Victor Sweet
Taraji P. Henson	...	Camille Mercer
Barry Shabaka Henley	...	Councilman Douglas
Jernard Burks	...	Evan
Kenneth Welsh	...	Robert Bradford
Tony Nappo	...	Charlie
Shawn Singleton	...	Victor Hoodlum

Also Known As:

Untitled Mark Wahlberg Project (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong violence, pervasive language and some sexual content.

Runtime:

109 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

UK:15 | Germany:16 | Finland:K-15 | Australia:M | Canada:18A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Nova Scotia) | Ireland:15A | Netherlands:12 | Norway:15 | Brazil:16 | Argentina:13 | Sweden:15 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Taiwan:R-12 | Belgium:KT | Iceland:16 | Malaysia:18SG | USA:R (certificate #41939) | Canada:14A (Ontario) | Portugal:M/16 | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | New Zealand:M | France:-12 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Singapore:NC-16

Filming Locations:

Canada

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

In the screenplay, during the shootout, it was written that Angel would carry Sofie upstairs and places her into a steel tub. Bullets later riddle the tub but Sofie is protected because of the tub. John Singleton liked the idea but due to it taking too long it was left only in the script.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Bobby and Jack are looking at the guns found at the shooter's apartment, Sofi throws a towel at Bobby. He ducks, and the towel hits the hanging lamp causing it to swing. In the next shot, Jeremiah walks over to the table, and the lamp is completely still.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Evelyn Mercer: Ok, Darnell, so the candy just happened to jump into your pocket, huh? Well I don't think so. Samir's going to call the police right now. Samir, the police!
Darnell: Please don't call the police, man, please!
Evelyn Mercer: That's what happens when you shoplift. There's consequences.
Darnell: But it's just some damn candy! I don't wanna go to jail!
Evelyn Mercer: Well you can probably get away with stealing sometimes, Darnell, but sooner or later you're gonna get caught. Is that the way you want to lead your life?
Darnell: No.
Evelyn Mercer: I happen to believe you're worth more. But you gotta believe it, Darnell.
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (2006)

Soundtrack:

IN THE THICK

Fun 60-70's like movie. Revenge is sweet.

I was ready to bet that this was a remake after an older movie. Great 60's and 70's music, the endless theme of the small town terrorized by a villain and the rise to justice of the people involved, Mark Wahlberg... ;)

OK, I am unfair to the man, but it's true isn't it? He is always cast into old looking movies or remakes. I actually like how he is playing. I think that he is a reasonable actor and has potential beyond the action movies in which we've become accustomed to seeing him.

The plot is quite simple: adoptive mother of four and town saint gets killed by thugs. The four brothers kick ass accordingly. But beyond the obvious cliché, the movie was quite good. The actors played well, the feelings were nicely transmitted to the audience and the details were realistic enough and emotion conveying. Actually, for this kind of movie, I am ready to grade high.

The bad thing about this film were the villains. Unconvincing small time crooks that suddenly have the power to hire people with Steyr Augur rifles and other high power weapons. Unconvincing crooked cop who has no motive for actually being corrupt. In the end, the movie is rather relaxing, considering we never meet anything unexpected.

Worth a watch, although I would rate it as a TV movie, to watch in bed, rather than a cinema thing.