Brødre (2004)
Genre: Drama / War
Duration: 117 minuten
Alternative title: Brothers
Country:
Denmark / United Kingdom / Sweden / Norway
Directed by: Susanne Bier
Stars: Ulrich Thomsen, Nikolaj Lie Kaas and Connie Nielsen
IMDb score:
7,5 (12.150)
Releasedate: 27 August 2004
Brødre plot
Michael (Ulrich Thomsen) has his life in order. He has a successful career as a professional soldier, a beautiful wife (Connie Nielsen) and two daughters. His youngest brother Jannik (Nikolaj Lie Kaas) is a man who is not too strict with the law. Michael is sent to Afghanistan on a UN mission and as a result, the brotherly bond between the two will be forever changed. When Michael goes missing and there is little hope that he will be found alive, Jannik helps Sarah and the children. And against all odds, Jannik knows how to properly bear responsibility for the family but also for himself. Over time, however, friendships take a turn and Jannik and Sarah begin to fall in love. But then Michael unexpectedly comes home. He is deeply traumatized by his captivity in the mountains of Afghanistan. Nothing is like before...
Actors and actresses
Sarah
Michael
Jannik
Natalia
Camilla
Else
Henning
Allentoft
Niels Peter
Ditte
Reviews & comments
eRCee
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- 13403 messages
- 1953 votes
It's kind of odd that a Hollywood remake was made of this, because this movie by Bier is actually already Hollywood. But then in Danish (and that is probably the main reason for Sheridan's version). It is also striking that the American version has more than three times as many votes on a Dutch film site. Well, all that aside.
Brødre is in everything a typical film by Suzanne Bier, so I was quite surprised that the screenplay turned out to be written by Anders Thomas Jensen. Upon further research on Imdb, I find out that he has (co-)written many of Bier's films, so it's not that crazy after all.
The biggest problem with the film, in my opinion, is its high cliche content. Whether it's the story development or the characters, I really can't find anything original in it. The pinnacle of easy writing is formed by the grandpa and grandma, but the other characters are not much more layered. The second major problem, also almost characteristic of Bier, is that sentiment is played too emphatically. In this case also partly due to sometimes almost western-like music. Mochizuki Rokuro calls Brødre coquettish and I think that's an accurate description.
So I think the film is rational. Still, it works to some extent, Beer is handy enough for that. But I am beginning to understand more and more the opinion of von Trier about his Danish colleague, insofar as it appears from a few sneers.
Fisico (moderator films)
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- 9982 messages
- 5393 votes
Saw this original Brothers movie on the recommendation of Maarten0402 after I saw the one with Gyllenhaal, Maguire and Portman last week. This movie isn't bad at all, but I thought the 'American' version was the better movie in almost every way, not least because of the great soft soundtrack, beautiful poster, better acting and more neat plotline.
Both films have a lot of similarities except for a few small details. It's those details that happen in Brodre that I just didn't like. Some transitions I found quite abrupt. I also found the relationship between the brothers not very magical. The time in Afghanistan was messier and the relationship between Jannik and Sarah was also quite simple and straightforward. Too little in-depth to really speak of love or a clic. Too little attention has been paid to the new role that Jannik fulfills as 'surrogate father'. The scene at the airport shows this clearly. With Gyllenhaal you clearly saw that double feeling: "I took the place of my brother, but now I have to take another step back ...". None of this here. The flipping of Michael, the argument at the table, ... also comes across as strange. The film lacks involvement and emotion. That's how I feel. I didn't think the acting was great and it's strange to say, but Brodre is more sensational than Brothers (including a fight with brother).
All things considered, definitely a pass with 3.0*. Maybe I was just a little too guided by the other version, but the differences are obvious. It's just because the American version preserves the serenity and humility that I appreciate it so much.
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