My Brothers

This rather well-acted and respectable Irish movie opens with a gravely ill father of 3 sons resting in bed. We see some snippets of home movies in the head of the oldest son (of about 17) recalling his father (played by a bearded Don Wycherley) having fun at the seaside. This son, after something material is broken, decides to try to replace it for his dad despite previously not being close to his dad.

My favorite part of the film comes next. This oldest of 3 sons goes out on his mission, but (out of necessity) asks his teenage brother to help him. As they sneak out of their home they run into the youngest brother who has inadvertently heard something of their plans and wants to go, too. Then we have this scene:

Oldest brother: "There's no way in hell you're coming. Youngest brother: "I'll tell." The camera then lingers on the oldest brother's face... before the brother turns the corner from the walk to the street. The youngest tags behind in triumph.When the youngest catches up to the oldest the oldest, walking a bicycle, then turns to the youngest and announces: "This I'll tell business won't last forever. Da-ya-know that?"

Such lines are not new, but the difference here is that the director knew what he was doing and conveyed the relationships of the 3 boys just in the pauses and the silent looks shared amongst them during this scene.

And that's what this Irish film is all about: how 3 brothers who previously lived in their own separate worlds of their own imaginations come to feel like they actually are brothers.

I saw this film at Tribeca Film Festival and I can't wait to own a copy. It was a really touching story about the three brothers traveling to the shore on a family mission. It felt like watching a home movie at times, and I was excited by the beauty in the cinematography on a few shots.

The best part of the film is it's simplicity. It reached deep down into my soul and it's been months since I've seen it, but I'm still brought to tears when I think about it. The way the brothers speak to each other through out the film is funny, touching, and best of all - it's real. It didn't feel forced.

I gave this film 10/10 stars, but would give it more if I could. There's no fancy Hollywood tricks to dazzle - but this film doesn't need it, it relies upon the strong script and chemistry of the cast, as well as the wonderfully 'under-directed' feel is has. Excellent!