Connie Nielsen, Nikolaj Kaas, Ulrich Thomsen

Michael has everything under control: a successful military career, a beautiful wife and two daughters. His younger brother Jannik is a drifter, living on the edge of the law. When Michael is sent t...( read more  read more... )o Afghanistan on a UN mission, the balance between the two brothers changes forever. Michael is missing in action -- presumed dead -- and Jannik comforts Sarah, showing himself capable of taking responsibility for both himself and the family. It soon becomes clear that their feelings have developed beyond mutual sympathy. When Michael comes home, traumatized by being held prisoner in the mountains of Afghanistan, nothing is the same.

Flixster Users

84% liked it

2,939 ratings

Critics

89% liked it

70 critics

R, 1 hr. 30 min.

Directed by: Susanne Bier

Release Date: August 27, 2004

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DVD Release Date: September 20, 2005

Stats: 153 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (153)


  • October 22, 2009
    Wonderful film. It's simply one of those films where you find no flaws, only because it says a story we've seen many times before, but still finds a way to say it so differently than all other films have in the past. Everything is so thoughtfully looked after, and so perfectly pi...( read more)eced together that you can't help but having no bad judgments to make. Ulrich Thomsen is just a truly rattling actor - a pleasure to the senses when one sees him acting.

    Can't wait to see the U.S. version so I can rant about how they dismantled it! I can't believe that Tobey Maguire will be in it - he's not even good as Spiderman and they gave him a role in a remake of this movie? Oh, well. Whatever happens, I just hope they only keep the music score - it is greater than what words can express.
  • November 30, 2009
    Brothers" was about going away to war and coming back damaged and changed. Some people who had been in war zone, will have to deal with these strong emotions that take control of them, when they come back into their daily life routine.Connie Nielsen was incredible in her role as ...( read more)the soldier's wife, trying to keep things together, even when he was reported dead. She had to show strength when he returned damaged by the war.The younger brother Janick, who only wanted to help became his target, accusing him to have slept with his wife. Great movie with a great story and great acting portraying real people in difficult circumstances. Now it rest me to watch the Hollywood 2009 remake. Then I can compare, but now I loved the Danish one.
  • October 25, 2007
    A drama that explores the relationship between two brothers follows many conventions, yet somehow still manages to feel different and revelatory in its delivery. It has a wonderful score that captures the tension and serenity of particular scenes and helps to emphasise the emotio...( read more)n and distraught of the characters. The director's approach in particular is unique; nothing is what it seems, and we know as much as the character's do themselves so that as the story unfolds it feels more personal and intimate, and then more human in it's portrayal. Connie Nielson in particular is amazing - she evokes so much sympathy from the audience as we feel her confusion and pain that we don't even question her as a character - she feels like a real person. A brilliantly psychological character study, analysing the horrors of both war and home - challenging and thought-provoking.
  • November 3, 2009
    Too Danish. Weak comment. Good try.
  • July 24, 2009
    A strong movie with genious actors. Connie Nielsen really has a special glow in this movie. But once again american cinema could not resist to make its own adaptation of this movie. so be sure to watch this original and not the new american movie "brothers".
  • May 11, 2009
    Shocking. Touching. Good.
  • February 19, 2009
    This movie had such an impact on me. I love the realism, how we see the main characters dealing with loss, war, traumas, grief and violence. This is one of very few movies that I wish were longer..
  • January 25, 2009
    Intensa, impactante y muy madura, aunque recurre demasiado a artificios melodramáticos. El saldo es muy memorable. / Intense, hard-hitting and very mature, though relies too much on melodramatic gimmicks. The end result is memorable.
  • January 18, 2009
    a really wonderful portrayal of the changing roles between people and just how close we are to the edge of everything and the salvation of everything.
  • January 18, 2009
    Wow! Intense, I haven't sat through a movie and been so captivated in ages. Can't wait to see the American adaption, but there's no way it'll be as good as this.

Critic Reviews


June 24, 2005
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times

Bier, honored as an Emerging Master at the Seattle International Film Festival this year, is clearly a director to watch. In her hands, a story that could become melodramatic is gripping and heartbrea... full review

May 20, 2005
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

This is the kind of movie that doesn't solve everything at the end -- that observes some situations are capable not of solution but only of accommodation. full review

May 6, 2005
Marcy Dermansky, About.com

Bier tries to give us bleeding humanity on a plate; the result is unpalatable. full review

May 5, 2005
Colin Covert, The Minneapolis Star Tribune

While its focus is domestic drama, the film doesn't shy away from harsh scenes of wartime violence. full review

View more Brothers (Brødre) reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

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