The Brothers Bloom (2007)

User Rating:

8.2/10   

Director:

Rian Johnson

Writer (WGA):

Rian Johnson (written by)

Release Date:

16 January 2009 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Comedy | Crime | Drama | Romance

Plot:

The Brothers Bloom are the best con men in the world, swindling millionaires with complex scenarios of lust and intrigue. Now they've decided to take on one last job - showing a beautiful and eccentric heiress the time of her life with a romantic adventure that takes them around the world. |

Plot Keywords:

Character Name In Title

Cast

Rachel Weisz	...	Penelope Stamp
Adrien Brody	...	Bloom
Mark Ruffalo	...	Stephen
Rinko Kikuchi	...	Bang Bang
Robbie Coltrane	...	The Curator
Nora Zehetner	...	Rose
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Mira Banjac
Ram Bergman	...	Himself
Ljiljana Blagojevic
Kevin Ford	...	Czech Military Officer
Zachary Gordon	...	Young Bloom
Stefan Kapicic
Skip Lotem	...	Czech Military Officer
Andy Nyman	...	Charleston
Alek Rodic
Maximilian Schell	...	Diamond dog
Noah Segan	...	The Duke
Josif Tatic
Miranda Vidak	...	Woman in Red Catsuit

Also Known As:

Penelope (USA) (original script title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for violence, some sensuality and brief strong language.

Runtime:

Canada:109 min (Toronto International Film Festival)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:PG-13 | Canada:14A (Toronto International Film Festival)

Filming Locations:

Bar, Montenegro

Company:

Endgame Entertainment

Trivia:

Weisz learned how to play piano, violin, accordion, and break-dance, to juggle, do karate, play Ping-Pong, banjo, unicycle, and even skateboard for her role as Penelope.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Building 'Brick' (2006) (V)

They DO make them like they used to, only better!

What a wonderful surprise: Yesterday my sister calls me and tells me that there's a new film by the director of Brick, playing at the Mill Valley Film Festival. "I'm there!"

Even before we get in the theater, I know we're in for a different experience. A pair of toughs with metal detectors wave us down for hidden cameras and demand we turn our cell phones off. I'm surprised we didn't have to take our shoes off. Endgame Entertainment certainly doesn't want any leaks.

Once inside, the director, Rian Johnson, shows up just before the show starts, fresh off a flight from Abu Dhabi no less. He gives a short interview with Mark Fishkin (long time director of the festival), coming off as a very charming, self-effacing, funny and unpretentious fellow. I like him immediately. Hollywood has not corrupted him (yet).

Like Tarantino, Johnson has closely studied films and makes constant references and nods to The Classics, especially from the 40s and 50s. Unlike Tarantino, Johnson writes more original stories and has good taste and far gentler sensibilities. Obvious influences include: Wes Anderson, The Cohen Bros, Billy Wilder, John Huston.

The film itself? Instant classic. It's got all the elements you could want in a Hollywood-style movie: Charming characters, plot twists, tons of gags, an incredibly beautiful leading lady, sumptuous sets and locations, and an overall sense "gee-whiz-isn't-this-fun!"

And it's classy, too. It doesn't resort to needless, sensationalist sex and violence. The writer respects and honors the audience's intelligence, a all-too-rare occurrence these days.

You could tell that the actors had a blast with the sometimes subtle, sometimes slap-stick script, relishing their characters' quirks and foibles.

Overall, Brothers Bloom almost manages perfection. It's one fault lies in the resolution, the last 5 minutes where it's tone abruptly changes for darker. Without giving anything away, I feel that it was too heavy-handed, considering the generally light and wacky spirit that had predominated. The rest of the audience seemed to feel the same way, given the hushed mood as the credits rolled. If the producers have an alternate ending up their sleeves, I suggest they use it, even it has to be somewhat ambiguous.

Otherwise, I'm happy to contribute to the positive buzz. I really think Brothers Bloom could be a huge hit, even a timeless classic.