Brothers

This is extremely overdue, so I apologize for a review I should have written two months ago. In fact, I didn't even see the film until this afternoon so that's my excuse.

At this point if you haven't seen Brothers, then I can't say I blame you because it got overshadowed by a lot of other bigger bolder winter blockbuster films but it was exquisite in it's own quiet way. I haven't seen many war movies simply because I have found that more often than not, when they're made well these types of films are ultimately too much for my heart and mind to handle. Brothers doesn't disappoint in that realm. It is emotionally tangled from the moment you meet the main characters, and it's evident before the lights even go out in the theatre that the audience will be watching a love affair of sorts.

What I wasn't expecting was the scenes that follow Toby Maguire's character Sam in Afghanistan as he struggles through torturous circumstances in order to get home alive. Those scenes are undoubtedly too real, leaving the audience caught between two worlds.  Existing simultaneously are the different stories the film follows and they are edited in such a way as to wake up viewers from the increasingly loving relationship that blossoms between Sam's brother Tommy (Jake Gyllenhaal), Sam's wife Grace (Natalie Portman) and Sam and Grace's two daughters.

I digress to say that I think the real breakout acting in this film is done by Bailee Madison and Taylor Geare. Two young actresses who flawlessly protray Sam and Grace's daughters. There is never a question that these girls are as grounded and wonderfully candid in only a way that a young child can be during what would be an incredibly painful situation, especially so early in life.

Sam ultimately returns [as is shown in the trailer] and suffers from severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder which subsequently keeps him isolated from his newly reunited family. It also keeps him guessing about Grace and Tommys' relationship, as is the audience. We never really get answers, but what we do get is an extraordinary scene involving all three main characters as Sam struggles with his inner guilt and anger. It is truly heart-wrenching, and incredibly suspenseful.

When the credits roll, you end up astounded and wanting more. Without giving anything away I have to say that I felt unsatisfied. I walked out feeling like I'd seen half of an extremely captivating film.  Check it out though - in some places Brothers is still in theatres, but if not it comes out on DVD March 23.