Brothers (Brødre) (2004)

89% of critics liked it
(71 reviews)
83% of users liked it
(3,783 ratings)

Two brothers unwittingly exchange roles under the fog of war in this powerful drama. Michael (Ulrich Thomsen) and Jannick (Nikolaj Lie Kaas) are two brothers who have always meshed as well as oil and water. Michael is a caring husband and father who risen to the rank of major in the Danish Army,… More Two brothers unwittingly exchange roles under the fog of war in this powerful drama. Michael (Ulrich Thomsen) and Jannick (Nikolaj Lie Kaas) are two brothers who have always meshed as well as oil and water. Michael is a caring husband and father who risen to the rank of major in the Danish Army, while Jannick is an alcoholic with a violent streak who has been in and out of prison much of his life. Jannick has just been released after serving time for armed robbery when Michael learns he's being sent to Afghanistan; Jannick quarrels with both Michael and his parents at a going-away dinner, which does nothing to endear him to Michael's wife, Sarah (Connie Nielsen). However, when Sarah receives word that Michael's helicopter has been shot down and the crew has gone missing, Jannick tries to assume some degree of familial responsibility, helping Sarah with the children and helping to keep the house in repair. As the months roll on, Jannick finds that family life agrees with him; he cuts back on his drinking, gets a job, and grows increasingly fond of Sarah, who also takes a liking to her brother-in-law's new style. However, as Jannick finally grows into a responsible adult, he and Sarah learn that Michael has been released from an Afghan military prison and is being sent home. As Sarah and Jannick come to terms with their feelings for one another, they are disturbed by Michael's new presence; after several hellish months in captivity, he's become an angry and emotionally broken man, who is haunted by ugly memories and suspects his wife and brother of betrayal. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 50 min.
Directed By: Susanne Bier
Written By: Anders Thomas Jensen
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: Aug 27, 2004 Wide
On DVD: Sep 20, 2005
Studio: IFC Films

Critic Reviews

Richard Nilsen, Arizona Republic
A profoundly affecting movie, one in which our sympathies lie with everyone.
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
Feels like an amalgam of newsreel and stage drama, but with the most potent aspects of both art forms.
Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star
Keeps itself floating above the suds thanks to Bier's crisp and lively visual design, the general loveliness of her cast ... and her attention to small moments of arresting domestic authenticity.
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail
A powerful, brutal, funny, tragic, vibrant, very human movie.
Wesley Morris, Boston Globe
A beautifully considered marvel of screenwriting.
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer
Though Brothers is at times unexpectedly harrowing, it is neither a preachy anti-war diatribe nor a triangulated domestic drama, but it does show how even little wars can disrupt the most harmonious families.
Jules Brenner, Filmcritic.com
if every film I see is as satisfying a complex human drama as this, I wouldn't have much to gripe about.
Enrique Buchichio, Uruguay Total
Un drama familiar intimista y bien actuado sobre los efectos que puede producir un trauma en la vida de las personas, y sobre la oportunidad de cambiar.
Rex Roberts, Film Journal International
A poignant reminder that social issues, in the end, are personal matters.

Read all 9 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jim H

One brother, recently released from prison, befriends his brother's wife, while the latter is believed dead in Afghanistan. We watch no film in a vacuum. The films we've seen in the past inevitably affect how we view new films. In this case, I couldn't help but… More
One brother, recently released from prison, befriends his brother's wife, while the latter is believed dead in Afghanistan. We watch no film in a vacuum. The films we've seen in the past inevitably affect how we view new films. In this case, I couldn't help but compare the original Danish version of this story to the American remake starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Tobey Maguire, and Natalie Portman. All three American actors have turned in good, sometimes great, performances in other work, but I found the American version staid and uninteresting. Now, I compare that to this film. The performances by Nikolaj Lie Kaas, Ulrich Thomsen, and Connie Nielsen are far and away better. Even on the most superficial level, Kaas looks like a fuck-up brother while Thomsen's maturity and political commitment resonate his every move. The final climactic moments hold more suspense and engender more fear because Thomsen's emotional decay is a more extreme inner torment and his physical stature is more demanding than anything that Tobey Maguire could inspire. There are almost no differences in the stories, but the way the original is told, by actors who are truly right for their parts rather than Hollywood stars trying to fit into unwilling molds, makes Brothers compelling drama. As much as I liked this film, especially in comparison to its flaccid American cousin, the story is still littered with "must-happens," in Super Reviewer Alice Shen's words. Overall, Brothers proves that a clone is never as good as the original.
Sarah G

Incredibly compelling take on the consequences of war and how it affects the family, in particular the relationship between the two brothers. Contains a great performance from Ulrich Thomsen and and the brilliant Connie Nielsen. This is film making at its absolute best, just a shame… More
Incredibly compelling take on the consequences of war and how it affects the family, in particular the relationship between the two brothers. Contains a great performance from Ulrich Thomsen and and the brilliant Connie Nielsen. This is film making at its absolute best, just a shame Bier doesn't do more films-I must check out the rest of her filmography If you enjoyed this check out After The Wedding another great film by Susanne Bier.
Cynthia S

The original BROTHERS movie. I liked it alot better than the American version, even though I thought that one was good, too. There was just something much more moving about this one. I have to say that the American movie script was very close to this script..almost word for word… More
The original BROTHERS movie. I liked it alot better than the American version, even though I thought that one was good, too. There was just something much more moving about this one. I have to say that the American movie script was very close to this script..almost word for word sometimes. But, on the whole, I think that they did a better job telling the story in this one. The camera work alone had a better artsy feel to it. Nice movie!
Walter M

[font=Century Gothic]"Brothers" is a film from Denmark that starts out with Michael(Ulrich Thomsen) who is an army major about to ship out to Afghanistan. On the day before he leaves, his neer-do-well brother Jannik(NIkolaj Lie Kaas) is being released from prison after… More
[font=Century Gothic]"Brothers" is a film from Denmark that starts out with Michael(Ulrich Thomsen) who is an army major about to ship out to Afghanistan. On the day before he leaves, his neer-do-well brother Jannik(NIkolaj Lie Kaas) is being released from prison after three years for a botched bank robbery. Michael is married to Sarah(Connie Nielsen) and they have two young daughters. Soon after arriving in Afghanistan, Michael's helicopter is shot down. And then Jannik starts to spend more time around the young widow's household...[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]"Brothers" is a constantly surprising and emotionally powerful movie about the cost that war has not only on those who serve but also those they leave behind. Whenever it seems to slip into a groove, it does something to move the characters out of their comfortable lives, particularly one event about halfway through the movie. "Brothers" is a very, very well acted movie which makes it all the more convincing.[/font]
Panta O

A real Danish masterpiece directed by Susanne Bier... a movie which will hit you hard with it's potency... and leave you think about emotional confrontation! Well done.
Joseph E

Now, I've seen beofre i saw the american version, so i don'tr remeber much abou ti, but i do know i liked it alot. Just as much as I liked the new one. it was different then this one.
Daisy M

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… More
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 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.
John A

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 emotion and… More
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 emotion 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.