Brothers

Natalie Portman in Brothers as Grace Cahill.

Brothers is a 2009 drama/war film starring Tobey Maguire, Jake Gyllenhaal & Natalie Portman. Directed by Jim Sheridan, Brothers film is based on Susanne Bier's 2004 Danish film Brødre which takes place in Afghanistan and Denmark. Both Brothers films take inspiration from Homer's epic poem The Odyssey.

"Brothers" - Trailer

Brethren.. brothers (including sisters) 'я us.,

White becomes black and black - white... and both fade into grey soaked in blood and tears. That's how the life is.

As I have said elsewhere: Most of the comments on IMDb contain the story line. I don't think it is necessary or advisable. But sharing your personal experience and analyzing it from the vantage point of your subjective reality could be enriching potentials of perception and preparing the one who didn't see the film yet. Equally it may give the confirmation of their own feelings, or a totally different angle to the one who had. Naming who is playing whom is not necessary either - it's all on the title page.

Goodness vs. badness - the split cardboard reality of a commoner's philosophy is masterfully challenged by this film. Sibling rivalry usually means for us in a flat two-dimensional view a competition between the brothers and sisters. The parents, superiors and other type of authorities are an intricate part of this process. The two pairs of same sex siblings and the interactions between all four of them is a real essence of this Shakespearian proportion drama. I have not seen yet the original Danish film Broder, but in this remake the depth of the gap between integrity and opportunism is strikingly and powerfully illustrated. Great film. Take enough facial tissue.