Brothers

I disagree with the other reviewer--this is definitely a film to remember, particularly for anyone planning to make a movie. It's an absolutely textbook example of how NOT to make a film. Virtually everything that one could do wrong in film-making has been done here, and to the highest level of incompetence.

Firstly and most importantly, we have the absolutely non-existent plot. Then there's the utterly inane cut-and-paste script, full of all the most tedious cliches you can imagine--sensitive "intellectual" "finding" himself through a series of "profound" observations about his situation, boring hedonist unable to articulate his disgust at his own stupidity... the list goes on... Next up, it's the acting--it's not exactly what one would call "cardboard", a better description would be "awkward and fifth rate". Whilst a lot of the acting deficiencies can be blamed on the moronic script, the actors certainly do nothing whatsoever to salvage the situation.

Lastly, but in no way to be underestimated, there's the direction, cinematography, and editing, all of which make most peoples' home videos seem highly polished and professional. Endless cutting to different scenes with no apparent continuity, the "novel" approach of playing dialogue between two characters who aren't even on the screen, and finally, the camera not even getting the subject properly in frame.

I suppose the bizarre and ridiculous cinematography could actually be considered a "feature" of this film, since I've never seen anything like it in my life--I refuse to believe that mere incompetence could have achieved such an effect. The only other redeeming feature of this movie is the mild pornographic aspect, which plays orders of magnitude above the rest of the production in terms of quality. Rebecca Cardinale is very, very hot as the lead Italian minx--but sadly, her sex appeal is wasted on this self-indulgent dross.

The storyline was virtually non existent and what storyline there was appeared to provid enough of an excuse for a production team and actors to spend a few weeks in a very desirable location.

The acting was nothing special and if one hadn't known better the overall impression was that the entire performance was the first shot at script writing and film making by a group of first year media students at a college of further education.

Everyone I know who has seen the film has reacted similarly. It can be described in two words 'absolutely awful'! Who, one wonders financed this venture?

Possibly the least imaginative, least coherent film I have ever seen. Clearly Martin Dunkerton and friends used this shoot as nothing more than an excuse for a freebie p*ss-up of their own in the sun.

And if art is mirroring life (a bunch of unlikeable, uninteresting 30-something males on alcohol-fueled holiday on Greek island) then it is all the more daming that there is not a single redeeming moment in the film. I waited patiently for a plot to appear, for just one scene to capture some truth, for just one funny joke. The soundtrack in particular grates, taking all the biggest and most obvious UK charts hits of the time and seeming all the more feeble and deriative for it.

Perhaps the film was pitched as a UK Porky's and certainly there are a fair few bosoms knocking around the screen and lots of attempts at bawdy humour. Yet the film is so feeble that it falls flacidly short of providing even a meagre portion of titillation. Ironically, American Pie was on TV shortly before this: a film which succeeds in many of the things Brothers fails so abjectly in.

Paul Reynolds, of Press Gang fame is the only recongisable face but playing the least appealing character. Brothers is not on his IMDb filmography for which he can only be grateful. He has - Martin Dunkerton take note - acted in at least two capable UK Films: Croupier and Let Him Have It.

Sorry to harp on but I am just incensed when there are so many talented people with fresh ideas in the UK and yet so few decent films getting made that anyone wasted the opportunity on a dullard like Dunkerton.

I got to see this at a preview screening because I used to work with Nick Valentine. I politely stayed to the end, I think I even told him it was good - but in reality, saying it was one of the worst films I have ever seen is being nice. If you haven't seen it - don't bother - it contains a thin plot, clichéd characters and very unfunny gags. I was a fair bit younger when I saw it and I think I might have laughed at a couple of the gags but you end up embarrassed at just how bad it all is. It is immature, schoolboy humour at its worst. You even get bored of yet another pair of breasts by halfway through. I wanted to like it for Nick's sake, I really did but it is awful. I cannot say that enough. Nick clearly enjoyed writing it though and if you've got money to burn why not? I can think of many other things I would rather spend my money on.

We watched this film recently when it was shown on British Television with about twenty friends. Everyone enjoyed the film tremendously and found it hilariously funny and brilliantly scripted. The film is so original and a true insight into what holidays for the lads are really like. It explores some "dark" issues which are acted and directed to perfection. One of those rare films where you can identify with the character facets. With a varied cast there is something for everyone to relate to, even if you dont admit to it on the outside.You MUST see this film if you have ever been on holiday with your friends! Brilliant.

Richard King