Brothers (2009)

A young man comforts his older brother's wife and children after he goes missing in Afghanistan.

Director:

Jim Sheridan

Writers:

David Benioff (screenplay), Susanne Bier (motion picture "Brødre")

Stars:

Jake Gyllenhaal, Natalie Portman, Tobey Maguire

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 4 wins & 14 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tobey Maguire	...	Capt. Sam Cahill
Jake Gyllenhaal	...	Tommy Cahill
Natalie Portman	...	Grace Cahill
Sam Shepard	...	Hank Cahill
Mare Winningham	...	Elsie Cahill
Bailee Madison	...	Isabelle Cahill
Taylor Geare	...	Maggie Cahill
Patrick John Flueger	...	Private Joe Willis (as Patrick Flueger)
Clifton Collins Jr.	...	Major Cavazos
Carey Mulligan	...	Cassie Willis
Omid Abtahi	...	Yusuf
Navid Negahban	...	Murad
Ethan Suplee	...	Sweeney
Arron Shiver	...	A.J.
Ray Prewitt	...	Owen

Storyline

Before leaving on his second tour in Afghanistan, Marine Captain Sam Cahill, a leader, an athlete, a good husband and father, welcomes his screw-up brother Tommy home from prison. He'd robbed a bank. In country, Sam's helicopter is shot down and all are presumed dead. Back home, while Sam wastes away as a prisoner in a remote encampment, Tommy tries to take care of the widow and her two children. While imprisoned, Sam experiences horrors unbearable, so when he's rescued and returns home, he's silent, detached, without affect, and he's convinced his wife and brother have slept together. Demons of war possess him; what will silence them?

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Plot Keywords:

afghanistan | presumed dead | marine | grief | prisoner | 

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Taglines:

There are two sides to every family

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Genres:

Action | Drama | Thriller | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some disturbing violent content

Did You Know?

Trivia

During one intense early prison scene, Gyllenhaal jokingly reached into his pocket and took out a picture of Ledger to stick on the prison wall. "Like those prisoners put [loved ones] on the wall, but Jake's was Heath Ledger," one set source recalls. "That was hilarious. It was a nice moment." (This was before Ledger's death).

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Goofs

In the beginning, dated in the movie as 10/7/2007, Sam says he's leaving "in 4 days" (10/11/07). Later, at the dinner table, he tells his brother he's leaving "Tuesday". 10/11/2007 was a Thursday.

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Quotes

Hank Cahill: [Looking around at the kitchen] What have they got here? Pancakes?
Tommy Cahill: There's one on the floor if you want one.

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Connections

Featured in DR2 Premiere: Episode #4.1 (2010)

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Soundtracks

I've Been Working on the Railroad
Traditional

User Reviews

Did anyone know that Tobey could act?

What drew me to this movie was the cast of Jake Gyllenhaal and Natalie Portman, two phenomenal actors in their own regards. The only expectation that I had going into see this film was that I would be unimpressed by Tobey Maguire. Having seen him in several films (including Spider-Man), I must say that I wasn't prepared for the incredible performance he provided.

This movie was very simplistic. Nothing flashy, no real special effects, small amounts of simple guitar music as a soundtrack. But it conveyed a whole roller coaster of emotions from the beginning. The growth of Jake Gyllenhaal's character, the anguish displayed by Natalie Portman, the palpable pain and suffering by Tobey Maguire, and the fear and anger displayed by the eight-year-old Bailee Madison all combine for a very gripping tale.

Many regard this movie as anti-war. I simply do not see it as such. Soldiers are praised for their heroism on the battlefield (which they completely deserve), but all too often the wounds they suffer physically and mentally are disregarded. This movie illustrates the very real problem of the mental health of our service men and women, and the problems it causes in family dynamics.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [France]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 December 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

Brothers

Filming Locations:

Abiquiu, New Mexico, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$26,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$9,527,848, 6 December 2009

Gross USA:

$28,544,157

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$43,474,578

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lionsgate, Relativity Media, Sighvatsson Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1