Wit. Charm. Theft. Deception. I could start this week's installment the same way as last weeks. Previously I introduced to you "The Sting." I didn't plan on that being a preparation piece for the newest film I have reviewed, but that's the way the dynamite goes boom. Thus, I present to avid film viewers "The Brothers Bloom."
"The Brothers Bloom" is presently making the rounds in art houses and other big market cinemas. I traveled to Indy to view it with friends last Saturday, and it was well worth it, even at full price.
The film stars Mark Ruffalo as Stephen and Adrien Brody as Bloom, who are brothers resorting to becoming con men to create lives for themselves. A silent sidekick, Bang Bang, also joins them. Stephen is the brain of every con, and Bloom is the bait. However, a life of being in different characters has left Bloom wanting a life of his own, in which he can flirt with women using his own stories. The film charts the story of the brothers' final con: to steal as a gentleman would from the richest heiress on the eastern seaboard. The only problem is that she is a slightly eccentric and a complete shut-in. She begins to live a more exciting life through the brothers, taking the group on a globe-trotting journey to Europe.
The film weaves between con and truth, and even blends the two to the point of complete disillusion for the audience as well as the characters. The best part of it all: deciding which parts are the con and which parts are the characters' lives. See if you can keep up with this twisting tale.
The thing that sets "The Brothers Bloom" apart from other capers is that the focus is not on the con or crime, but on character development and interaction. This is due to writer and director Rian Johnson's decision to base the story around characters. Whereas most con films revolve around the crime, such as "The Sting," "The Brothers Bloom" establishes itself as a character arc that is so rich in brotherhood and love, that you may just mistake it for a character study.
This film is rich on several levels. First, the characters' depth makes for a much more enjoyable film. If I haven't emphasized the characters enough, there's one more plug.
Second: pure storytelling. Johnson is quickly establishing himself as one of the top writers in the business. This is only his second film (the first is an excellent neo-noir "Brick") and Johnson's dialogue is full quip and elegance. The dialogue would never stand on its own within the real world, but within the environment of "Bloom," it is perfection. It isn't completely quotable, but lines, such as "an unwritten life" or "controversial choice" will stick with the viewer, and may transcend the film to become clichés someday.
Third, the film has visual imagery that is humorous, subtle, and sharp. There are two great scenes in particular which emphasize entry ways to build an atmosphere that further connect the story to itself.
Finally, the music pulls out even more characterization. The tone and melody of many of the themes are lighthearted with tunes that drive. The score perfectly compliments the stories' intricacies and quirks.
Ultimately, "The Brothers Bloom" quenches any needs for a great summer film that is more than just a blockbuster. The story is enthralling with characters that you connect with no matter how clean your record is.
If you have never heard of "The Brothers Bloom" or its writer/director Johnson, take note of both because they will be classics someday. I recommend seeing his first film "Brick" to get a feel for something different, and, dare I say, cultured. Get out and find a great film, whether it is "The Brothers Bloom" which is now playing, or something found at the video rental store. This might be the most fun and smart film of the summer, so try to catch it while it lights up the big screen. Until next time on the continuing adventures in Scene Selection, get busy livin' or get busy dyin'.
Alex Kartman is a junior telecommunications major. His views do not necessarily agree with those of the newspaper.
Write to Alex at ajkartman@bsu.edu
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