Brothers Bloom

Year: 2008 (USA)
Genre: Crime Comedy/Romantic Comedy
Directed: Rian Johnson
Stars: Rachel Weisz, Adrien Brody, Mark Ruffalo, Rinko Kikuchi, Robbie Coltrane, Maximilian Schell, Ricky Jay, Nora Zehetner
Production: Weinstein Company

Rian Johnson's follow up to his teen-noir flick Brick (2005) is a throwback to classic capers, love stories and a host of other influences from early cinema. "The Brothers Bloom" (Mark Ruffalo & Adrian Brody) are confidence men who are in for one more score, a reclusive and eccentric heiress (Rachel Weisz) who eventually falls in love with the younger of the pair. Told with style, and set in a multitude of exotic locations, this movie keeps you entertained and brings new life to predictable themes. All the major players in the piece of cinematic treasure the is The Brothers Bloom manage to make the most of their roles. Both Ruffalo and Brody do admirable jobs as the cocky Steven and the sensitive Bloom. Ruffalo manages to show a deep love for his brother and his character's need to pull off the "perfect con" comes off effortlessly. Brody can come off a little too whiny at some points but his scenes with Weisz are electric. Rinko Kikuchi even manages to make the most of her role as the Brothers' mute explosives expert. You can almost make out exactly what she's saying through her facial expressions and body language, making the adage "sometimes silence is more powerful than words" seem true. The real draw here however is Weisz. As naive as she may appear at times she manages to keep up with the Brothers every step of the way, causing Bloom to exclaim "sometimes I think she knows everything". Elegant, kind, eccentric and smart Rachel Weisz's Penelope is one of the most original female characters to come out of modern Hollywood.

As opposed to this character!

What do you mean I wasn't nominated again?!

There is a scene early in the movie where Weisz and Brody have an enlightening discussion about pinhole cameras. Weisz remarks that through certain lenses even the most mundane of objects can look obscure and interesting. These few short snippets of dialogue reveal director Rian Johnson's Modus Operandi. Through his eyes we are taken into a fantastical world within our own where larger than life characters con and swindle not for the money but for the art. This movie does indeed have it all. It's funny, intelligent, thrilling and even sad at points. With good directing, writing, acting and themes, this movie transcends entertainment to become storytelling artistry. Even the dialogue was phonetically mesmerizing. I would recommend this movie to anyone and everyone.

Even you Nick

Why was this film not advertised more during its theatrical release? Shown in only four theaters and expanded to less than 200 weeks later, this film was nothing but a blip on the radar. With a well known cast and a marketable plot, not to mention a young director with excellent credentials, this movie should have at least been pushed as fall Oscar bate. No such luck.

Final Grade: A