Talk about timeliness. With the recent announcement of President Obama’s decision to send our troops to Afghanistan, the English version of the 2004 film “Bodre,” (written and directed by Susanne Bier) “Brothers,” (Directed by Jim Sheridan) is sure to hit home for many families who will be separated by war once again (I actually recommended a friend of mine not go see it for that reason).
Photo provided by yourmoviestuff.com
This heartbreaking tale of loss, love, strength and weakness, pride and despair asks two valuable questions that families of lost and returned war veterans are forced to answer. When is it alright and is it possible for a family to to move on? How do those who survive return to their home lives and cope with what they have seen and done?
When Capt. Sam Cahill (Toby McGuire) finds out that he is being deployed to Afghanistan he suits up and leaves his family one more time saying goodbye to his two little girls that don’t fully understand what their daddy is doing and are only concerned with the fact that he is leaving again.
Right from the beginning “Brothers” tugs on your heart strings with an adorable, but heart breaking performance by Bailee Madison as Sam’s eldest daughter, Isabelle. I’m pretty sure I cried through the entire movie.
One morning when two soldiers arrive at Sam’s home (a devastating universal image families hope they will never have to know) his wife, Grace Cahill (Natalie Portman), already knows what news they have brought with them. As time goes by Sam’s deadbeat brother, who was released from prison at the same time Sam was leaving, Tommy Cahill (Jake Gyllenhaal), steps up and becomes the man he knew he could be for Grace and her girls. All the while Sam is enduring the burdens of war holding on to life for his family.
Gyllenhaal’s character development is heartwarming and so pure. An element of sadness was added for me when I realized that Tommy would possibly never found the strength to rise above himself if not for the loss of his brother. It is amazing to see how his tragedy also became his one shot at a do over.
Photo provided by imbd.com
“The principle actors, with Shepard’s well-timed and not overacted appearances, make this a specific story about particular people, and it avoids temptations toward melodrama. It’s about guilt and happiness, and how Tommy treats his guilt by righteous action, and Sam sinks into self-destruction. As a mother who seeks to preserve her daughters in the middle, Portman is the emotional heart of the story, as mothers are for so many families,” said Roger Ebert. He breaks it down so perfectly.
Outstanding performances all around I am sure that “Brothers” will find itself on the list of Academy Award Nominees (go see it), but that’s just my opinion.
