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Friday
22May2009

Movie Review - 'The Brothers Bloom'

DateFriday, May 22, 2009 at 12:45AM
The Brothers Bloom

Starring Adrien Brody, Mark Ruffalo, and Rachel Weisz
Directed by Rian Johnson
Rated R

brothersbloomposter.jpg I love illusions, sleight of hand, and con games. It's a miracle that I've never lost my life savings to a shady looking operator armed with only a deck of cards. The phrase "con man" does not refer to a prison convict, but rather someone who weasels his way into your confidence. And that brings us to The Brothers Bloom.

Stephen (Mark Ruffalo) and Bloom (Adrien Brody) have been running schemes since they were kids. Stephen writes the story, Bloom is the star. Bloom charms the mark - the target of the scam - and leads him or her through a series of glorified pocket pickings.

But after 25 years and a million miles on the job, though, Bloom wants a life that is unwritten.

Their relationship is complicated. Minutes after telling Stephen he hates him and walking away forever, Bloom turns around to tell his brother, "I love you." So three months later, Stephen walks back into Bloom's life on the shores of Montenegro with a plan for one more last ruse.

It involves Penelope (Rachel Weisz), a bizarre billionairess who lives alone in a monstrous family estate. The plan involves a couple million bucks; that's good money for con men, not so much for a woman like Penelope.

She's lured in by the pitch, something to do with antiquities dealers and taking a steamer across the ocean the next day. Soon enough, Penelope is helping the brothers, or so she thinks. And maybe we do, too. The plot moves a little too slowly, at least in relation to its promise, with a little too much attention paid to surface elements, like the wonderful costume design and the locations in The Brothers Bloom, and not enough about what ultimately makes the gimmick go.

Writer-director Rian Johnson has created a wonderful atomsphere in this, his second feature film. His previous effort, Brick, has a much stronger script, one built by its characters rather than the characteristics of its characters, which is so much the case here.

I do like the general vibe of this film, but The Brothers Bloom wilts upon slightly closer inspection. Add to that a problematic and incredibly slow third act that doesn't seem sure of itself or where it's headed, and this quirky little travelogue just falls a litle short. But if you're an aspiring filmmaker, there's plenty to study in Johnson's use of the costumes, the music, and transitional titles. Study Brick for a better example of just about everything else.

AuthorColin Boyd | | Print ArticlePrint Article | | CommentPost a Comment |

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