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:

con man | neo screwball comedy | nitroglycerin | heiress | eccentric | 

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Taglines:

Two master deceivers. One last swindling journey.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Crime | 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 [France]

Country:

USA

Language:

English French Czech Japanese

Release Date:

19 June 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

Penelope

Filming Locations:

Romania

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$90,400, 17 May 2009, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$3,519,627, 2 August 2009

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$5,518,635

Company Credits

Production Co:

Endgame Entertainment, Ram Bergman Productions, The Weinstein Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Rachel Weisz learned how to play piano, violin, accordion, banjo, ping pong, do karate, ride a unicycle, juggle, and even skateboard for her role as Penelope.

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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

Featured in The Rotten Tomatoes Show: Shrek Forever After/Survival of the Dead/Holy Rollers (2010)

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Soundtracks

Gary Cooper
from Amarcord (1973)
Written by Nino Rota
Performed by Carlo Savina
Courtesy of Cam Srl

User Reviews

A film easily worth recommending. A very funny and intelligent comedy.

The Brothers Bloom is a shining comedy with a wonderful cast. It's an unusual film which in some ways reminds one of Wes Anderson's work. However, it's much more entertaining than any of Anderson's films. Leading the picture are Mark Ruffalo and Adrien Brody. They're both excellent as the two con men brothers. Ruffalo is especially charming as the older brother, but Brody is no less effective as the depressed younger brother. With them are Rachel Weisz and Rinko Kikuchi. Weisz managed to make her character seem cute, odd and very likable. Weisz is really at the center of the film. In addition, writer-director Rian Johnson really wanted Weisz in the role of Penelope Stamp. Actually, Weisz's performance alone is worth the price of admission. She's such a good actress, and she's one of my favorites. But there's so much more to like here. Rinko Kikuchi, who became famous because of her dramatic role in Babel (2006), had no problems playing a comedic role. The adventure of the main characters takes them to several picturesque locales. Despite all the traveling the humor keeps on coming, often in unusual ways. The cast do a very good job but most of the credit should go to Rian Johnson, who hasn't made a bad film yet. His work is intelligent, original and delightful. When I began watching it I didn't realize that The Brothers Bloom is, in my opinion, one of the best comedies of recent years. This is because I watched it to see Rachel Weisz, since I like her work. But this film is easily worth recommending. Also, I can't believe that this film underperformed at the box office. And how come it wasn't publicized much? What a shame.