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I have to be honest. I wasn't expecting much out of this film - the usual tearjerking stuff that isn't so much tearjerking as melodramatic. But I was pleasantly surprised.
Natalie Portman, Jake Gyllenhaal and Tobey Maguire stunned me with their amazing performances. Maguire in particular was excellent as Sam Cahill, showcasing a soldier's descent into madness as the result of the trauma he experienced in Afghanistan.
Bailee Madison was also great - the scene at Maggie's birthday, where she delivers an emotional tirade, was moving. There are so many parallels that can be drawn between Sam and Tommy and the two sisters Isabelle and Maggie. It became even more prominent during that particular scene.
The fact that it was given just 61% on RT surprises me, because I thought that it was very realistic and raw. It has been demonstrated time and time again that soldiers returning home from active duty can experience PTSD and many of them eventually commit suicide. I didn't think Brothers was melodramatic at all in that sense.
I thought the whole Tommy/Grace pairing would be a central part of the story, but it really wasn't - it was simply incorporated into Sam's state of mind.
On a side note, Patrick John Flueger was terrific in his small role as Private Joe Willis, at least during what little screen time he had, and I'm not too proud to admit that I was a bit emotional during his last scene.
If there was one thing I didn't like about the film, it was that slight racism near the beginning, where Maggie states that the 'bad guys' are the 'ones with beards.'
And, I must say, Carey Mulligan was nearly unrecognizable as Private Willis' wife. As you can see, this review is degenerating as it goes on.
To sum up, Brothers is a great film that explores the human psyche as it relates to trials like war, as well as grief and desperation, with some amazing performances all around.
