36/18
Emmet Walsh (Judge Farful)
Synopsis
Two criminal twin brothers, one of whom is trying to reform, embark on a dangerous road trip. Facing legal troubles, shootouts, and family drama, they must reconcile their differences before their mission leads to self-destruction. Last film appearance of actor M.
For some reason, genuinely funny comedies have become an increasingly rare cinematic commodity in recent years, so it’s a real treat when one comes along that satisfactorily tickles the funny bone
(March 22, 1935 – March 19, 2024). Such is the case with director Max Barbakow’s third feature, the wild and wacky story of a dysfunctional crime family seeking to recover the hidden loot from a heist committed by the family matriarch (Jen Landon) 30 years earlier. Leading the charge are twin brothers Jady (Peter Dinklage), a career criminal recently released from prison, and Moke (Josh Brolin), a gifted but long-reluctant thief who is now trying to get to the bottom of it.
Emmett Walsh in his penultimate screen performance), in exchange for a sizable share of the stash
The goal is to track down a stash of emeralds stolen by their long-absent mother (Glenn Close), who originally stole the goods but has been on the run ever since—and who now shows up unexpectedly to reclaim the gems for herself. The unlikely trio thus embark on their quest to recover the jewels, an odyssey in which they are aggressively pursued by Officer Farful (Brendan Fraser), a crooked prison guard who arranged Jady’s early release through her father, a corrupt judge (Mr. And along the way, the participants in this capricious adventure are treated to a series of comically inventive challenges that include Jady’s new space girlfriend (Marissa Tomei), Moke’s pregnant wife (Taylour Paige), and an unusually horny gorilla, among others.
It’s also a cautionary tale against the idea that there’s no honor among thieves, even when they’re members of your own family
While some segments of the film are admittedly a bit overwritten and overacted (particularly by Fraser), much of this adventure plays out quite well, recalling one of the Coen brothers’ films (although admittedly not as polished). If nothing else, it’s a huge step up from the filmmaker’s last outing, the positively horrifying “Palm Springs.” (2020) (my worst film of that year), as well as a major improvement over many of Amazon Prime’s recent disappointing offerings, an accomplishment largely made possible by the performances of its stellar ensemble (especially the three leads). “Brothers” is by no means epic cinema, but it’s a good way to have a good laugh at home on a Friday night with a big bowl of popcorn, and it’s satisfying enough on its own.
Check out our October schedule for more!
The final season of “What We Do in the Shadows” is one of the biggest TV and streaming premieres this month.
