Most of the time I don't think much about who directs a film before I go to see it. But once in a while I know what to expect from a movie based on who is at the helm. That was the case with "Brothers," the latest film from Jim Sheridan. Sheridan is an Irish filmmaker and two of his previous films have dealt with the conflict in Ireland. "In the Name of the Father," and "The Boxer" both starred Daniel Day Lewis, and in addition to a nation's troubles also touched on how individuals were affected. Sheridan also directed "In America" about an Irish-immigrant family. All these movies are dramatic and some of them are heart-wrenching.
While "Brothers" is not set in Ireland or about Irish immigrants, it touches on a war and a family in turmoil, as well as love and loss. I wanted to see the movie long before I knew who directed it because it starred Jake Gyllenhaal and Natalie Portman, two of my favorite actors. But when I knew Sheridan was directing it, I knew it would be good.
The thing I love most about Sheridan is that he allows quiet moments to embody his movies, and he allows the kids in the movie to have full roles. Bailee Madison and Taylor Geare are allowed to say things the adults in the film hold in. Madison especially does a good job as Isabelle.
While some might think the movie is slow-moving or a little mundane, I think that is exactly the point. Sheridan creates a world were life slows down after a tragedy, and the family struggles to do all the little things together, like making breakfast or fixing up the kitchen and then that slowly transforms into celebrating birthdays or ice skating until life is almost normal again.
Gyllenhaal and Portman work well together, and the only character that seemed a little underdeveloped is Tobey Maguire's Sam Cahill. He is in the film with his family so little it is hard to believe the bond he has with them. But Maguire makes up for it in the scenes after he returns from Afghanistan.
It's worth a watch, but be prepared for a serious film. Plus the movie has a song from my favorite U2 album, as well as a U2 song written just for the movie, which made it even better.
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