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	...	Self
Craig Johnson	...	Apple Cart Vendor
Dubravko Jovanovic	...	Albino

Storyline

A pair of brothers - the Blooms, are probably the best con men in the world, Before they get out, they've decided to so one last hustle; as wine and dine an eccentric heiress the time of her life, with a romantic adventure, around the world.

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Plot Keywords:

con man | neo screwball comedy | nitroglycerin | saint petersburg russia | stealing food | 

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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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Ricky Jay, the narrator, is an actor who has appeared in films for such filmmakers as Paul Thomas Anderson and David Mamet, but he is perhaps better known as an expert on the histories of magic, "spirit" photography, and con artistry, and as such is a logical choice to narrate a film about con artists. Rian Johnson had originally asked Jay to play The Curator, but Jay's schedule didn't allow for that, so Johnson hired Robbie Coltrane for that role instead.

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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: Star Trek/Rudo y Cursi/Next Day Air (2009)

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Soundtracks

Children's Story
Written by Slick Rick (as Ricky M.L. Walters)
Published by Songs of Universal, Inc.

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

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

Gross USA:

$3,531,756

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$5,530,764

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