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The Brothers Bloom

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The Brothers Bloom (2009)

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Reviews Counted:112

Fresh:70

Rotten:42

Average Rating:6/10

Consensus: Despite strong performances The Brothers Bloom ultimately does not fulfill its lofty ambitions.

Australian Rating: M [See Full Rating] Violence and coarse languag

Runtime: 1 hr 53 mins

Genre: Comedies

Australian Theatrical Release:
Nov 30, 1999 Wide

US Box Office: $3,479,844

Synopsis: Though THE BROTHERS BLOOM seems to be equal parts THE STING and THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS, director Rian Johnson's second feature is still strikingly original. Adrien Brody (KING KONG) and Mark Ruffalo... Though THE BROTHERS BLOOM seems to be equal parts THE STING and THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS, director Rian Johnson's second feature is still strikingly original. Adrien Brody (KING KONG) and Mark Ruffalo (ZODIAC) star as the siblings of the title, who have been working as conmen since they were children. There is a constant tug of war between them, with Bloom (Brody) desperate to get out of the game, while his brother Stephen (Ruffalo) drags him back. Like so many other films, THE BROTHERS BLOOM hinges on "one last job;" here, it is to steal millions from lonely, bored heiress Penelope (Rachel Weisz, THE CONSTANT GARDENDER) while they pose as antique dealers. But Bloom falls in love with the charming Penelope, and the con gets even more complicated. Johnson's directorial debut, BRICK, was a critically aclaimed exercise in style, and THE BROTHERS BLOOM proves to be even better crafted. In both its gorgeous aesthetic and its witty script, this is a film that is incredibly modern while it remains in the spirit of classic con films such as PAPER MOON. Director of photography Steve Yedlin is a wonder with camera angles and lighting, while costume designer Beatrix Aruna Pasztor perfectly creates a vintage-inspired wardrobe for the stars. With these visuals, it might be difficult for actors to stand out, but Johnson has assembled a fantastic cast that more than holds their own. His three leads are great together, and he gets wonderful supporting work from BABEL's Rinko Kikuchi as a nearly silent explosives expert and Harry Potter favorite Robbie Coltrane as a Belgian who may or may not be on their side (and, in fact, may or may not be Belgian). There are plenty of twists and turns on this road, but this fun film proves there's joy in the journey. [More]

Starring: Adrien Brody, Mark Ruffalo, Rachel Weisz, Rinko Kikuchi

Starring: Adrien Brody, Mark Ruffalo, Rachel Weisz, Rinko Kikuchi, Maximilian Schell, Robbie Coltrane

Director: Rian Johnson

Director: Rian Johnson
Screenwriter: Rian Johnson
Producer: Ram Bergman, James D. Stern
Composer: Nathan Johnson
Studio: Summit Entertainment

[See More Credits]

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Reviews for The Brothers Bloom

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

The first hour especially grabs our attention before disintegrating into a swirl of confusion. We expect the lines between reality and fantasy to become blurred, but we do need to have a stake in the characters or at least believe in their reality

Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
11/06/09
Louise Keller
Louise Keller
Urban Cinefile
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Militantly unenchanting

Full Review Source: CinePassion | comment Comment
08/25/09
Fernando F. Croce
Fernando F. Croce
CinePassion

A fine piece of cinematic legerdemain

Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
08/03/09
Dan Jardine
Dan Jardine
Apollo Guide

The film is fun, but the characters are not well developed. The audience has to be onboard not for the characters but for the twisty ride.

Full Review Source: rec.arts.movies.reviews | comment 1 Comment
06/28/09
Mark R. Leeper
Mark R. Leeper
rec.arts.movies.reviews

Follows an offbeat path to reach that destination, and most will enjoy the journey.

Full Review Source: Charlotte Weekly | comment Comment
06/15/09
Sean O'Connell
Sean O'Connell
Charlotte Weekly

...it will baffle and infuriate some, and enchant and entertain others.

Full Review Source: Worcester Telegram & Gazette | comment Comment
06/14/09
Daniel M. Kimmel
Daniel M. Kimmel
Worcester Telegram & Gazette

"The Brothers Bloom" operates on a much larger scale, a globe-hopping, visually dazzling caper comedy, but at heart it's just as in love with language and storytelling as "Brick" was.

Full Review Source: Capital Times (Madison, WI) | comment Comment
06/12/09
Rob Thomas
Rob Thomas
Capital Times (Madison, WI)

Unlike the con artists the movie depicts, 'The Brothers Bloom' rewards rather than exploits viewers by defying their expectations.

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
06/07/09
Dan Lybarger
Dan Lybarger
eFilmCritic.com

Fueled by glorious performances all-around, The Brothers Bloom is a film with art-house accents and a strong emotional heart.

Full Review Source: Atlantic City Weekly | comment Comment
06/03/09
Lori Hoffman
Lori Hoffman
Atlantic City Weekly

One of those movies that I wanted to see again the moment it was over -- and had this been anything other than a press screening where that was not possible, I would have.

Full Review Source: Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) | comment Comment
06/03/09
Ken Hanke
Ken Hanke
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

This globe-trotting romantic comedy is like going on a scavenger hunt where the fun is in the journey.

Full Review Source: Entertainment Spectrum | comment Comment
05/29/09
Keith Cohen
Keith Cohen
Entertainment Spectrum

It's as much about society's need for a well-told story as it is about an emotional connection between its characters. This sincerity is ultimately what lifts the picture above many of its predecessors.

Full Review Source: Scene-Stealers.com | comment Comment
05/29/09
Eric Melin
Eric Melin
Scene-Stealers.com

a confident and even touching bit of genre twisting, with its best moments providing plenty of anticipation for what else Johnson has up his sleeve

Full Review Source: Q Network Film Desk | comment Comment
05/29/09
James Kendrick
James Kendrick
Q Network Film Desk

It’s diverting for an hour or so, but one tires of all this forced playfulness long before the final reveal.

Full Review Source: Kansas City Star | comment Comment
05/29/09
Robert W. Butler
Robert W. Butler
Kansas City Star

Rarely allowing substance to interfere with style, filmmaker Rian Johnson occasionally amuses but mostly frustrates with his con-job fantasia The Brothers Bloom.

Full Review Source: Sacramento Bee | comment Comment
05/29/09
Carla Meyer
Carla Meyer
Sacramento Bee

Watching this movie is like being elbowed in the ribs for two consecutive hours.

Full Review Source: Dallas Morning News | comment Comment
05/29/09
Christopher Kelly
Christopher Kelly
Dallas Morning News

Parental Content Review

Full Review Source: Screen It! | comment 2 Comments
05/29/09
Jim Judy
Jim Judy
Screen It!

It's a fine movie to like, although nearly impossible to love. And from the man who gave us the immensely lovable Brick, this is a minor disappointment.

Full Review Source: Antagony & Ecstasy | comment Comment
05/28/09
Tim Brayton
Tim Brayton
Antagony & Ecstasy

The Brothers Bloom is to precocious adventure movies what Crank is to action throwdowns; it finds the genre's limit and doubles it.

Full Review Source: I.E. Weekly | comment Comment
05/28/09
Amy Nicholson
Amy Nicholson
I.E. Weekly

Johnson's lube of choice is whimsy, and as the filmmaker pours an endless stream of cutesy behaviors and larger-than-life screenwriting into the stew, Brothers Bloom eventually curdles altogether

Full Review Source: BrianOrndorf.com | comment Comment
05/28/09
Brian Orndorf
Brian Orndorf
BrianOrndorf.com
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 >> >|
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Latest News for The Brothers Bloom

May 22, 2009: Nathan Johnson Talks Brothers Bloom Score Opens in new window
Discerning fans of movie music are already well acquainted with Nathan Johnson's quirky, absorbing work -- but chances are, you haven't heard him talk about his craft the way he... More...

May 14, 2009: Critics Consensus: Angels & Demons Isn't Quite Heavenly
This week at the movies, Robert Langdon is back on the case, investigating shadowy machinations around the Catholic Church in Angels & Demons, starring Tom Hanks and Ewan... More...

May 13, 2009: Five Favorite Films With Director Rian Johnson
With Brick, Rian Johnson established himself as a filmmaker to watch. An audacious debut, it made use of a classic film noir plotline within a contemporary high school setting,... More...

April 08, 2009: Trailer Bulletin: The Brothers Bloom Opens in new window
After an extended wait, Rian Johnson's "The Brothers Bloom" will finally reach theaters in May -- and to celebrate, it's got a brand new trailer. More...

See All

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Tomatometer Percentage Movie Date

80% 80% 2012 12/11
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