The Brothers Solomon (2007)

15% of critics liked it
(72 reviews)
31% of users liked it
(55,659 ratings)

Mr. Show alumnus Bob Odenkirk directed -- and SNL vet Will Forte scripted -- this gleefully raunchy tale of two socially backward but kind-hearted adult brothers, Dean and John Solomon (Forte and Will Arnett), who had the misfortune to be home-schooled by their father at a remote Arctic outpost.… More Mr. Show alumnus Bob Odenkirk directed -- and SNL vet Will Forte scripted -- this gleefully raunchy tale of two socially backward but kind-hearted adult brothers, Dean and John Solomon (Forte and Will Arnett), who had the misfortune to be home-schooled by their father at a remote Arctic outpost. Destined to be perpetually single, their moronic, klutzy attempts at meeting new women (such as popping the question on a first date in a crowded restaurant) always blow up in their face. Then, one day, the Solomons receive the distressing news that their father is on his deathbed -- and to complicate matters, he indicates that his dying wish involves having a grandchild. John and Dean are happy to oblige -- but where in the world will they find a mother for this infant? Suddenly, the bachelors' romantic desperation doubles, and each brother embarks on a nutty, madcap quest to find the girl of his dreams and the mother of his future children. Malin Akerman, Kristen Wiig, Jenna Fischer, and Chi McBride co-star. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 33 min.
Directed By: Bob Odenkirk
Written By: Will Forte
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Sep 7, 2007 Wide
On DVD: Dec 26, 2007
Studio: Screen Gems

Critic Reviews

J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader
The story makes no sense, and the two lead characters are repulsive, but I must confess I laughed immoderately at this clever piece of junk.
Matt Zoller Seitz, New York Times
Three gags miss for every one that hits.
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
I was so angry at everybody involved in the making of this film. It's just astonishing.
Claudia Puig, USA Today
It's a moderately funny premise in search of some real laughs.
Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star
Neither Odenkirk's limp direction nor SNL alumnus Will Forte's script -- not nearly clever enough to get away with its questionable gags about matters sexual and racial -- provides much by way of actual plot or comedy.
Peter Hartlaub, San Francisco Chronicle
It's hard to hate a movie that tries so valiantly to resurrect the career of Lee Majors. But even that noble task ultimately fails.
Cynthia Fuchs, Common Sense Media
Goofy lowbrow comedy is too crude for kids.
Stefan Birgir Stefansson, sbs.is
mostly unfunny
Brian Tallerico, The Deadbolt
Has too many dull spots to give it a hearty thumbs up, but if you like your humor a little left-of-center, it's odd charm might work for you.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...benefits from the inclusion of several genuinely funny whacked-out bits of comedy...
Matthew Turner, ViewLondon
Disappointing comedy that takes a single joke and attempts to stretch it over an entire movie, with predictably poor results.
Anthony Quinn, Independent
Odd-couple comedy that tries much too hard and, in other ways, not hard enough.
Karl French, Financial Times
A dismal gross-out comedy.
Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK]
Relentlessly bad taste.
Neil Smith, Film4
Oh, brother! Firing blanks in every direction, this tedious vehicle for two hard-to-like comedians is stillborn from the off.
Paul Arendt, BBC
Direction is undistinguished, and the editing leaves far too much room for laughs that never arrive.
Ken McIntyre, Total Film
A series of musty gross-out gags ranging in sophistication from sperm bank hijinks to sloppy man-on-man kissing, Bob Odenkirk's cringemaker-with-a-heart is a ragged Xerox of Dumb And Dumber that seems incredibly creaky after the summer of Superbad.
Elliott Noble, Sky Movies
The only amusement here comes from counting the imaginary tumbleweeds that so frequently roll across the screen.
Alan Morrison, Empire Magazine
Audiences will need an epidural to endure the excruciating pain of watching this geek-and-jerk combo stumble through three trimesters.
Stephen Himes, Flak Magazine
Imagines what might happen if Rod and Todd Flanders grew up and decided to have a surrogate child together.

Read all 22 critic reviews

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

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Featured Audience Ratings

KJ P

This is one of the stupidest movies I have ever seen. I sat through the entire film but there was never a time when I like it. The ending was the only relief of charm in the film. The dialogue is terrible, the comedy sucks, Will Arnett and Will Forte should think twice before doing… More
This is one of the stupidest movies I have ever seen. I sat through the entire film but there was never a time when I like it. The ending was the only relief of charm in the film. The dialogue is terrible, the comedy sucks, Will Arnett and Will Forte should think twice before doing anything like this again, and this entire movie fails miserably. I expected this movie to be bad, but not this bad. Wow, the Brothers Solomon is just plain awful. It makes you feel good at the end, but the rest of the movie not salvageable in any way. The idea was absolutely pointless from the start!
Leigh R

Stupid, but cute, all at the same time. I might watch again, but more than likely won't.
Curtis L

For as stupid as it was, I did laugh out loud a few times. Probably because I miss Job from Arrested Development. Nothing says love like a diaper full of popcorn and dead duckling.
Michael G

The talent involved with The Brothers Solomon left the sky as the limit but it was just really disappointing. The consistency with Will Arnett and Will Forte's idiocy wasn't there and there is no fucking way in hell that Kristen Wiig should've ended up in the back seat… More
The talent involved with The Brothers Solomon left the sky as the limit but it was just really disappointing. The consistency with Will Arnett and Will Forte's idiocy wasn't there and there is no fucking way in hell that Kristen Wiig should've ended up in the back seat as she's easily the funniest one in the cast. I never really found myself caring but I do applaud all involved for not going That Way with the neighbor across the hall. If you're expecting anything more than a Saturday Night Live skit that never made it out of the writers' room you're in for some serious disappointment.
Martin B

I gotta say, this movie surprised me. I had thought for sure it would be one of the worst films of the year, but found myself laughing out loud frequently throughout the film. Its humor is out there... WAY out there, and just plain bizarre, but in exactly the ways that you would… More
I gotta say, this movie surprised me. I had thought for sure it would be one of the worst films of the year, but found myself laughing out loud frequently throughout the film. Its humor is out there... WAY out there, and just plain bizarre, but in exactly the ways that you would expect coming from Wills Forte and Arnett. And it works. It's stupid, but surprisingly funny. Kristen Wiig and Chi McBride are also hilarious as the surrogate mother and her husband. I'd bet that many people who have trashed this film never saw it, or went in with their minds already made up.
Lenny M

Not really funny at all, Will Forte is hilarious in most things he does, had some descent lines.
Aaron N

James: What the fuck is that? Dean Solomon: That the fuck is the crib, the safest place in the house. Better than expected. This movie is basically Knocked Up's ugly cousin. Two brothers, who have been home schooled by their father, have no real experience with… More
James: What the fuck is that? Dean Solomon: That the fuck is the crib, the safest place in the house. Better than expected. This movie is basically Knocked Up's ugly cousin. Two brothers, who have been home schooled by their father, have no real experience with relationships...or anything really. When their father falls ill, a request is made that he would have liked to see a grandchild. The boys then take it upon themselves to find a woman willing to have a baby with them. With the help of Craigslist, they find a surrogate, and it goes on from their. The movie relies on the strength of its performers, and it does a commendable job. Will "GOB Bluth" Arnett does his best with what his given, but his delivery is always solid. Will Forte has a number of good moments as well. Chi McBride really stands out by stealing every scene he's in. What really helps, is how these brothers remain positive throughout the entire movie, despite this situations they are in. It gives the movie an innocence that kind of helps it. Their are many jokes that are run into the ground, but some are run so deep that they actually become funnier. Some sequences are actually accomplished pretty well. Overall, this is not very good, but its entertaining for the right kind of audience. While their are better things that one can see than this, their are certainly things worse than this as well. Dean Solomon: So there's at least a small chance we're dealing with a Cyclops
Joseph E

I think that this beat "Step Brothers"and "Semi-Pro", but maybe every other comedy beat it?
Brandon K

This reminded me of A Night at the Roxbury and that's a good thing.
Yinalí R

Weird, very arkward, and just plain idiotic, in a good way.
Philip P

The movie was as dumb as the brothers are and even though both lead actors are funny guys, it just didnt work that well-some parts were really funny, the music and the slow-motion and of course will arnetts facial expressions, but it just wasnt as funny as Id hoped.
William G

Exceedingly awkward siblings make for uneasy chuckles here and there.
Sarah P

A typical SNL cast members movie. Not very funny and pretty much a waste of time...
Remi L

Not funny. Not funny! NOT FUNNY!
John M

A brainless and silly comedy to have some fun here and there. It is like ¨Dumb and Dumber¨ trying to have a baby.
Nicky M

It sucked, was only barely amusing at times, and took stupid humor to another place (that I shouldn't have gone.). I'll give the skywriting bit it's props but that's about it. It wants to be Dumb and Dumber but instead is just duuuuuumb.
deb .

So stupid that it was sometimes funny. It was a mistake though. I thought I was getting Kite Runner at the video store, but when I got home and opened the box, this crappy movie was in it. Now THERE'S a joke!!
Leo L

Fantastic! This is a hilarious movie! Arnett and Forte are phenomenal! The two Wills pick up in comedy where Jeff Bridges and Jim Carrey left off several years ago. Great homage to the music of the 80's: "St. Elmo's Fire". Hahaha!
James B

If you enjoy the randomness of Will Forte, then you will enjoy this comedy revolving around two idiotic men trying to make a grandchild for their father.
Sean S

It's OK. I think a lot of the plot points are just a little too obvious including the "baby twist". Most of it you see coming from a mile off but it still has some laughs and the main too characters are so off beat and unusual it mostly works.