Brothers

Brothers (2009)

  • 61% of critics liked it
    (148 reviews)

  • 62% of users liked it
    (188,008 ratings)

Jim Sheridan's film, adapted from Susanne Bier's 2004 movie, concerns Captain Sam Cahill (Tobey Maguire), a Marine who receives orders to ship out for yet another tour of duty in Afghanistan. But before he leaves his supportive wife, Grace (Natalie Portman), and his two elementary-school-age… More

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R, 1 hr. 50 min.
Directed By
Jim Sheridan
Written By
David Benioff
Genres
Drama
In Theaters
Dec 4, 2009 Wide
On DVD
Mar 23, 2010
Lionsgate Films

Critic Reviews

  • Rex Reed, New York Observer

    A soap opera ensues with more clichés than one movie can survive.

  • David Denby, New Yorker

    Brothers, the new home-from-the-war film, written by David Benioff and directed by Jim Sheridan, has been made with obvious devotion and sincerity, and I wish I could take it seriously.

  • Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times

    Sheridan seems as conflicted as the Cahills about their virtues and failings.

  • Dana Stevens, Slate

    After watching this movie, I had what you might call Portman Traumautic Stress Disorder, a condition that leaves you twitchy, irritable, and in need of a well-acted light comedy.

  • Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

    An almost-good movie weakened by its desire to have a major impact, as melodramatic material is heated to boiling over.

Read all 23 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Jeff "


    Brothers is an excellent drama film with a great cast. The film concerns two brothers, one a Marine, and another a convict who just got out of prison for a crime. Marine Capt. Sam Cahill (Tobey Maguire) is sent back into active duty, and his brother Tommy (Jake Gyllenhaal) is forced… More

  • Carlos M


    A compelling drama that examines the emotional impact of war on the family of a soldier who is presumed dead in Afghanistan. The intense performances, especially by a superb Tobey Maguire, and the honest dialogue prevent it from slipping into easy melodrama.

  • Brad W


    Why all the negativity, I thought it was a great film. Sam (Tobey Maguire) is a marine with a brother named Tommy (Jake Gyllenhal) who has done much jail time, but besides their fathers anger towards Tommy, Sam has always cared for him. Tommys wife Grace (Natalie Portman) never… More

  • Cassie H


    A very powerful movie about a war hero, Sam Cahill (Maguire) who goes to war and memories of it haunt him causing him to go towards insanity. A heart wrenching movie that is intense and equally sad. Jake Gyllenhaal plays the role of Maguire's brother wonderfully &… More

  • J P


    Amazing movie. It was intense and had a great storyline that kept my interest. Maguire played the traumatized war hero so well. It was a great movie. I loved it.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

Cast

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Trailers & Clips