Captain Sam Cahill (Tobey Maguire), is a Marine who receives orders to ship out for yet another tour of duty in Afghanistan. But before he leaves his wife, Grace (Natalie Portman), and his two young daughters, Sam picks up his brother, Tommy (Jake Gyllenhaal), who’s just finished serving time in prison for robbing a bank. While overseas, Sam's aircraft gets shot down and he's thought to be dead. Back home, irresponsible Tommy pulls his life together and becomes an anchor for Grace and the girls. Although the two grow emotionally close, the family finally begins to make peace with their grief. Just as that happens Sam is rescued as a POW and returns home but something about him has changed. Sam's experiences overseas have caused him such emotional turmoil, he’s having a difficult time adjusting to civilian life, and soon his fear and paranoia manifest themselves in the form of jealousy for his brother's relationship with his wife.

 

Tobey Maguire acted his ass off in this role!! I truly believed that he was fucked-up in the head after serving his time in Afghanistan. This was a powerful film about a soldier’s life, and something that many families have had to cope with in some way shape or form. My only problem with “Brothers” is that the plot draws you in with the assumption that many things are going to happen but never manage to transpire. I thought this movie was good BUT the ending totally sucked! Although we don’t always get the happy ending that we’re looking for, I hate when an ending leaves me thinking what the hell just happened? “Brothers” did manage to entertain me but it’s not necessary for you to run out to theaters to watch it. Just sit back and wait for it to come out on DVD. ~Dana Da Designated Hata® aka Nobody’s Fan™