Brothers

R

Released May 13, 2005

1h 50m

Drama

List

89%

73 Reviews

Tomatometer

85%

2,500+ Ratings

Audience Score

When Danish army officer Michael (Ulrich Thomsen) is sent to Afghanistan, his mission quickly goes awry, leading to his imprisonment. When news of Michael's disappearance and presumed death reaches home, his errant, drifter brother, Jannik (Nikolaj Lie Kaas), mends his ways to provide support for Michael's family and wife, Sarah (Connie Nielsen). Eventually, Jannik and Sarah develop deep feelings for one another. However, when Michael is rescued and returned home, things take a dark turn.

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Critics Consensus

This tense, understated drama explores the complications of individual and social ethics stemming from the repercussions of war on one man and his family.

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andrey k

This movie definitely can shatter emotionally, which it did to me. It's unexpectedly good and tough; I prefer this kind of emotionally complex drama where several lives are interwoven within one set of tragedy to Inarritu's dramas, where tragedy is being used for the tragedy's self.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

BROTHERS - the Danish original by Ace-directoress Susanne Bier ( forget the US-remake), Brødre .... en film af Susanne Bier. +++ As always with me: no content information - no SPOILERs: the first movie I saw from probably the world's best female director Susanne Bier, was at that time a certain "After the Wedding" (ATW) from the year of 2006. Actually, the Anti-Cover with a blurred Mads M. in the local library was far from the blockbuster. Everything smelled like extreme Dogma-film, which are often very hard to watch. But this film was just brilliant. I would call him a dogma-light - and this kind of film, typically from Denmark, is exactly my cup of tea. And "Brothers" has similarities to ATW in style. The heart-rending and really sad story is told without any kitsch and totally moved me. All characters act completely credible and transparently and one suspects, that factors like fate and chance, might turn the constellations of relationships into a human tragedy. Just fantastic how the honest script and also the direction merge the gear wheels of the plot together!!! The camera is also extremely close and personal with the feelings of the characters - very often hands, lips and eyes in close-up. Simply breathtaking, I must confess .... But clearly: Screenplay - Anders Thomas Jensen and Director - Susanne Bier are a stellar constellation, enabling little Denmark to compete with the best of the best from the mighty United States. 5 years ago now, I became a huge fan of them both. The actors play all just wonderful and believable, so I imagined myself almost in a documentary - a greater compliment, I just cannot make. Again, Denmark delivers worldclass. Above all, this "Brødre - Brothers" so is far superior to the American remake of Jim Sheridan (who also is a good director) For a wider audience, this remake is just prone to too many compromises and softens the harsh reality of the sady-sad Story too much. Conclusion: to me - besides ATW - the strongest Susanne Bier film, even better than the also strong "Hævnen - in a Better World '(2010) and her first US film" Things We Lost in the Fire "(2007) starring Halle Berry and Benicio Del Toro. Rating = 95% (MASTERPIECE) ###################################################################################95%

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Hard for me to evaluate this one, since I saw the remake first and it mostly takes up my memory. The remake seems to closely follow the original in this case. I'd say the original is right there with the remake, though in hindsight the remake wasn't necessary. I'm glad this is what got Susanne Bier's career going, though.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

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Audience Member

Can't believe how good this movie is. The Danish version

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A good movie that shows personal repercussions of war. Its far from the perfect movie but it does have heart and good performances, lacking in the direction.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/14/23

Full Review

Audience Member

well crafted and executed drama

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

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Susanne Bier

Director

Connie Nielsen

Sarah

Ulrich Thomsen

Michael

Nikolaj Lie Kaas

Jannik

Bent Mejding

Henning

Solbjørg Højfeldt

Else

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93%

90%

Open Hearts

78%

86%

In a Better World

87%

87%

After the Wedding

24%

57%

Fierce People

61%

43%

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Brandon Judell

indieWire

Emotionally commanding.

Jun 14, 2018

Full Review

David Ansen

Newsweek

Taut and unexpected, Brothers is gripping from start to finish.

Feb 28, 2018

Full Review

Empire Magazine

Rated: 3/5

Oct 16, 2006

Full Review

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.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 18, 2007

Full Review

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.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 4, 2007

Full Review

Rex Roberts

Film Journal International

A poignant reminder that social issues, in the end, are personal matters.

Feb 22, 2007

Full Review

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Synopsis

When Danish army officer Michael (Ulrich Thomsen) is sent to Afghanistan, his mission quickly goes awry, leading to his imprisonment. When news of Michael's disappearance and presumed death reaches home, his errant, drifter brother, Jannik (Nikolaj Lie Kaas), mends his ways to provide support for Michael's family and wife, Sarah (Connie Nielsen). Eventually, Jannik and Sarah develop deep feelings for one another. However, when Michael is rescued and returned home, things take a dark turn.

Director: Susanne Bier
Screenwriter: Susanne Bier, Anders Thomas Jensen
Distributor: IFC Films
Rating: R (Language|Brief Nudity|Nudity|Sexuality)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Danish
Release Date (Theaters): May 13, 2005, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 13, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $385.0K
Runtime: 1h 50m
Sound Mix: Surround

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