The Brothers Bloom (2008)

The Brothers Bloom are the best con men in the world, swindling millionaires with complex scenarios of lust and intrigue. Now they've decided to take on one last job - showing a beautiful and eccentric heiress the time of her life with a romantic adventure that takes them around the world.

Director:

Rian Johnson

Writer:

Rian Johnson

Stars:

Rachel Weisz, Adrien Brody, Mark Ruffalo

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rachel Weisz	...	Penelope
Adrien Brody	...	Bloom
Mark Ruffalo	...	Stephen
Rinko Kikuchi	...	Bang Bang
Robbie Coltrane	...	Curator
Maximilian Schell	...	Diamond Dog
Ricky Jay	...	Narrator (voice)
Zachary Gordon	...	Young Bloom
Max Records	...	Young Stephen
Andy Nyman	...	Charleston
Noah Segan	...	The Duke
Nora Zehetner	...	Rose
Ram Bergman	...	Himself
Craig Johnson	...	Apple Cart Vendor
Dubravko Jovanovic	...	Albino

Storyline

Brothers - older Stephen and three years junior Bloom - have been con artists since they were kids. Stephen is the mastermind, for who the intricacy of the story used in the con is as important as the positive outcome of the swindle. Bloom is the main character of Stephen's stories, the character he considers the anti-hero. As adults, they travel the world and never enlist the same people twice in their cons, except for their consistent sidekick, the mysterious and primarily silent Bang Bang, a Japanese woman who just appeared in their lives one day and who has a penchant for blowing things up. As Bloom hits his mid-thirties, he wants to quit the business as he is losing his own identity to that of the characters he portrays; he doesn't know anymore what is real and what is make-believe. Stephen talks him into one last con, the mark to be the eccentric, lonely but beautiful New Jersey heiress, Penelope Stamp. Penelope's primary past-time in life is to, as she calls it, "borrow hobbies...

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Plot Keywords:

eccentric | heiress | revenge | new jersey | love | 

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Taglines:

Two master deceivers. One last swindling journey.

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for violence, some sensuality and brief strong language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [fr]

Country:

USA

Language:

English French Czech Japanese

Release Date:

May 2009 (Romania)

Also Known As:

Bratri Bloomovi

Filming Locations:

Bar, Montenegro

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$90,400 (USA) (15 May 2009)

Gross:

$3,519,627 (USA) (31 July 2009)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Endgame Entertainment, Ram Bergman Productions, Weinstein Company, The

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Tom Cruise is credited with special thanks in regards to the film due to his initial interest in the film that led to a lengthy 3 hour meeting with Rian Johnson. Cruise's analysis of the script led to a few significant changes of the key elements of the script. As this meeting occurred precisely the same day Cruise's company was taken off by Paramount, Rian felt this was a more than generous act on Cruise's behalf. However, due to scheduling conflicts as well as other factors, Cruise could never be a serious consideration for one of the lead roles.

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Goofs

When the Brothers Bloom first visit Penelope's castle, they are driving a Cadillac Seville. Bloom asks Bang Bang, "This a '78 Caddy? Controversial choice." The car is actually a 1983 Seville, whose bodystyle was built from 1980-1985.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Narrator: As far as con man stories go, I think I've heard them all. Of grifters, ropers, faro-fixers; tails drawn long and tall. But if one bears a bookmark in the confidence man's tome, it would be that of Penelope, and of the brothers Bloom.

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Connections

References Bob le Flambeur (1956)

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Soundtracks

"The Fabulist"
Written and Performed by Nathan Johnson
Courtesy of Choplogic Music - Under license from Nathan Johnson

User Reviews

Enjoyable time with the Brothers Bloom

I really liked the visual style of this movie and how it doesn't take itself seriously in a good way. It's a bright con film about two brothers that are good at what they do since a very young age, but the younger brother wants out. So his older brother convinces him to join him for one last con, with his assistant Bang Bang which fits her quite accurately. This isn't a serious or one of those dark movies about a con, so in another words it will leave a smile on your face. Plus I sort of cared what happens to the characters since they are mostly likable and has charisma, and found the scenario especially the visual style of this movie to be intriguing. It has a bit of the bromance, but mostly it's a romantic comedy with smugglers and should not be taken seriously in a good way of course. This movie really does have heart and a sense of adventure. Now I enjoyed Rian Johnson's past film "Brick" and I enjoyed this one as well, not as cool as "Brick" is, but still enjoyable. Especially how the main con, needs some fake cons to go with it along with it's witty plot. It isn't a waste of time or money to see this film. By the end of the film, with it's great ending I have to give this a...

8.2/10