Gilliam hasn't lost his manic visual touch or his flair for dangerously dark humor, but the story isn't worthy of the masterful tale-tellers who gave the film its title -- and not of your moviegoing dough, either.
The Brothers Grimm (2005)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:175
Fresh:65
Rotten:110
Average Rating:5.1/10
Consensus: The Brothers Grimm is full of beautiful imagery, but the story is labored and less than enchanting.
Runtime: 1 hr 59 mins
Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy
US Box Office: $37,848,537
Synopsis: Director Terry Gilliam, who brought his magical storytelling talents to such films as TIME BANDITS and THE ADVENTURES OF BARON MUNCHAUSEN, sets his sights on the Brothers Grimm, turning their life... Director Terry Gilliam, who brought his magical storytelling talents to such films as TIME BANDITS and THE ADVENTURES OF BARON MUNCHAUSEN, sets his sights on the Brothers Grimm, turning their life into a playfully grim fairy tale all its own. Set in early 18th century French-occupied Germany, THE BROTHERS GRIMM stars Matt Damon as Will Grimm and Heath Ledger as Jake Grimm, siblings who travel the countryside as snake-oil salesmen, convincing unsuspecting towns that they are haunted and agreeing to get rid of the demons--for a price. In the meantime, they set their tales down in writing, creating a wealth of oddball, offbeat, and frightening characters. But after they are caught by General Delatombe (Jonathan Pryce) and his sidekick, Cavaldi (Peter Stormare), they are sent to the tiny village of Marbaden to solve the mysterious disappearance of a number of young girls, placing them in the middle of a fantasy world unlike any they'd ever invented. They enlist the help of a peasant woman, Angelika (Lena Headey), and they set off for the evil forest to save the lives of the girls--and themselves. Gilliam has once again built a unique, entertaining land where anything can happen, and he throws in references to such Grimm tales as Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel, Cinderella, Rapunzel, and the Frog Prince for good measure. The movie also features Mackenzie Crook and Richard Ridings as the Grimms' cohorts, Monica Bellucci as the Mirror Queen, and Julian Bleach and Bruce McEwan as two of Cavaldi's henchmen. [More]
Starring: Matt Damon, Heath Ledger, Peter Stormare, Monica Bellucci
Starring: Matt Damon, Heath Ledger, Peter Stormare, Monica Bellucci, Jonathan Pryce, Lena Headey, Roger Ashton-Griffiths, Mackenzie Crook, Richard Ridings, Julian Bleach, Bruce McEwan
Director: Terry Gilliam
Director: Terry Gilliam
Screenwriter: Ehren Kruger
Producer: Charles Roven, Daniel Bobker
Composer: Dario Marinelli
Studio: Dimension Films
Reviews for The Brothers Grimm
Terry Gilliam once again proves "Life's little subterfuges make it all worthwhile" in this imaginative, enchanting tale.
This winds up being twice as coherent as Sleepy Hollow wishes it was, and twice as entertaining as Van Helsing thought it was going to be.
Frankly I never would have believed that Terry Gilliam had a movie this bad in him.
Not just weird, but randomly, elaborately weird.... It's a total wreck.
The Brothers Grimm is a mess; a formerly daring director’s attempt to cash in on big studio backing even after the rug has been pulled out from under him.
For grown-ups who pretend they don’t believe the horrible stories they heard as children.
It probably had extravaganza status in mind at the outset, but it may have to settle with fun fantasy curiosity.
If you are a long lost relative of the Grimm family, I encourage you to sue because Terry Gilliam has left a stain on your family’s name that can’t be erased with OxyClean.
Too scary for kids and too thin for anyone else, Terry Gilliam's latest movie, like his heroes' tricks, has a lot of visual flair, but no substance.
a setup that is far more rewarding than the eventual adventure...Grimm Brothers' fairy tale references replaced with the slow grinding of plot wheels.
Director Terry Gilliam hasn't made a movie this playful since his Monty Python days, scattering visual and verbal puns throughout Grimm like Hansel and Gretel scatter breadcrumbs.
It's often funny, its texture can be breathtaking and its pleasures likely will grow with repeated viewings.
Latest News for The Brothers Grimm
November 08, 2006:
We Have a New Sarah Connor!
Remember when we told you that some folks were turning the "Terminator" series into a weekly TV show? Well, they still are -- and they hired a really attractive... More...
October 23, 2006:
RTIndie: David Lynch, Terry Gilliam Living on the Edge of Hollywood
It's a tough time to be a veteran in the indie game. Why are celebrated auteurs David Lynch and Terry Gilliam having a hard time getting their films into theaters? More...
August 31, 2006:
Box Office Preview: "Crank" Closes Up Summer Movie Season
The summer movie season comes to an official end with the Labor Day holiday weekend unleashing three new releases plus the national expansion of a fourth. More...
August 24, 2006:
Box Office Preview: Invincible Aims for First Place Finish
Another wave of new releases hits the multiplexes across North America this weekend in hopes of capturing the final dollars of the summer movie season. More...
More Movies
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 71% 71% | Where the Wild Things Are | 03/12 |
| 83% 83% | Paranormal Activity | 03/12 |
| 89% 89% | Zombieland | 03/12 |
| 77% 77% | The Informant! | 03/12 |
| | The Strength of Water | 03/12 |
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Sponsored Links
Around The Network
- The Brothers Grimm at Rotten Tomatoes
- The Brothers Grimm at IGN
- The Brothers Grimm at AskMen
Fresh Links
Featured

Tim Burton's costume designer talks to Movieline about her long collaboration with the filmmaker and Johnny Depp.

The director talks about puppetry perfection and his film, Fantastic Mr. Fox

We've got 20 copies of the hit TV series' Pilot Episode to giveaway.

Double passes up for grabs to the new comedy starring Paul Giamatti.

Get all the latest movie updates, reviews, interviews and features here.
Competitions

Enough Prequel, Original Trilogy and Family Guy DVDs to fill a space cruiser

Everything from Dr. No to Quantum of Solace could be yours.

We're giving away the 10th Anniversary Blu-ray, plus Braveheart and the Rocky collection



Top Critic

