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Brothers of the Head (2006)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:65
Fresh:43
Rotten:22
Average Rating:6.4/10
Consensus: As bizarre as it is, this mockumentary about a pair of conjoined rockers is surprisingly poignant and filled with authentic period details.
Synopsis: Keith Fulton and Louis Pepe (LOST IN LA MANCHA) mark an extraordinary narrative debut with this faux documentary about Siamese twin punk rockers in the early 1970s. Stunning photography by Anthony... Keith Fulton and Louis Pepe (LOST IN LA MANCHA) mark an extraordinary narrative debut with this faux documentary about Siamese twin punk rockers in the early 1970s. Stunning photography by Anthony Dod Mantle, which occasionally borders on the abstract, augments a story already rife with dramatic potential, which was based on the novel by Brian Aldiss. Recalling Alan Clarke's iconic Sex Pistols biopic SID AND NANCY in its grittiness and the volatile relationship at its core, BROTHERS OF THE HEAD centers on Tom and Barry Howe (real-life twins Harry and Luke Treadaway). Siamese twins recruited at a young age by a sleazy producer, the twins are groomed for a stardom which will inevitably become their downfall. Barry's innate nihilism and anger make him the ideal frontman for the band, while Tom studiously learns the guitar from a bandmate (Bryan Dick). But the brothers' dalliances with drugs, girls, and fame, added to the psychological power struggles already at work between them, eventually put them on the road to destruction. Equal parts homage to rock 'n roll and an insightful character study of a complex relationship, the film fascinates while not taking itself too seriously: Ken Russell's unfinished biopic of the boys is particularly hilarious. The excellent soundtrack of original music by Clive Langer (ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS), actually played by the actors onscreen, tops off this impressive work. [More]
Starring: Harry Treadaway, Luke Treadaway, Tom Bower, Sean Harris
Starring: Harry Treadaway, Luke Treadaway, Tom Bower, Sean Harris, Bryan Dick, Tania Emery, Ken Russell
Director: Keith Fulton, Louis Pepe
Director: Keith Fulton, Louis Pepe
Composer: Clive Langer
Studio: IFC Films
Reviews for Brothers of the Head
"Lost In La Mancha" directors Louis Pepe and Keith Fulton take a flailing mockumentary shot at a convoluted narrative about a pair of conjoined twins-turned-punk-rock-duo.
The edgy humor and oddly compelling lead characters make it well worth seeing.
Needed more to counter its "twin" shortcomings: the questionable gimmick and too much lousy music.
Despite the odd moment of visual bravura, this mockumentary is too aware of its own satirical daring. Consequently, it's never as dark, dangerous or amusing as it thinks.
The credible feel of this film-within-the-film remains an achievement; it’s neither mocking nor parodic and nearly always deadly serious.
Harry and Luke Treadaway give astonishing performances (or rather an astonishing performance), creating a believable physicality for their characters, as well as distinct personalities.
Co-directors Keith Fulton and Louis Pepe have a gift for making fake footage look like the real deal. But they're not so hot when it comes to simulating human drama.
"Brothers" puts a clever and disturbing twist on the self-destructive arc that so many real-life rock bands take.
What becomes painfully apparent as the drudgery rolls on is that the only freak show here is the movie itself.
No doubt one of the weirdest, most off-beat movies you can see all year, and with a rocking soundtrack.
What's missing is any insight to cut into the twins' opaqueness, which turns the movie into a stylistic experiment without any reason to be.
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