Four Brothers Review
by Steve Rhodes (Steve DOT Rhodes AT InternetReviews DOT com)August 10th, 2005
FOUR BROTHERS
A film review by Steve Rhodes
Copyright 2005 Steve Rhodes
RATING (0 TO ****): ***
FOUR BROTHERS is an unusual and uneven mix of genres that is both intriguing and rewarding. Sometimes the film, directed by John Singleton (SHAFT and ROSEWOOD), is a gritty crime drama that feels like a colorized version of a black-and-white movie from the 1950s. At other times, it is a crime comedy or a family drama.
What makes it works is that Bobby (Mark Wahlberg), Angel (Tyrese Gibson), Jeremiah (André Benjamin) and Jack (Garrett Hedlund), the eponymous brothers, are likable and unpredictable. The "brothers" became a family after their foster mother took them in. Normally she worked to place kids in other foster homes, but these four were so incorrigible that no one else would have them so she gave them a home. Although they are supposed to be bad, they are like sweet teddy bears around each other. But when crossed, they show their more aggressive sides.
As the story opens, their mother is killed in what appears to be a liquor store robbery but turns out to be a contract killing. When the brothers realize that corrupt Detroit cops and a councilman will thwart any investigation into who hired the killers, they start taking the law into their own hands. Singleton is careful to make each brother into an individual with different limitations and skills. Bobby is always willing to do anything, no matter how outrageous, but the others prefer various degrees of finesse.
Singleton's action set pieces are quite effective and none more so that a chase with guns blazing between two junkers on a snowy road. His quiet family moments are convincing and sweetly touching even if they do keep threatening to derail the story's momentum. But instead of slowing it down, they just resonate, providing more nuance to the narrative. Although this entertaining movie is a bit ragged, it does end up well with some nicely executed twists.
FOUR BROTHERS runs 1:48. It is rated R for "strong violence, pervasive language and some sexual content" and would be acceptable for teenagers.
The film opens nationwide in the United States on Friday, August 12, 2005. In the Silicon Valley, it will be showing at the AMC theaters, the Century theaters and the Camera Cinemas.
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