Review of The Brothers Bloom (2008) by Gareth M — 12 Jul 2010

From Rian Johnson, director of the clever and stylish yet ultimately unsatisfying [i]Brick[/i], follows through on demonstrated potential with the colourful and entertaining tale of two fostered brothers who grow up to be con men. With a bright primary colour scheme, globe-trotting set-pieces and a touch-notch ensemble Johnson makes it easy for the viewer to have fun. Sharp dialogue, sublime wit and slapstick humour vi for space and provide plenty of laughs that build among a cleverly scripted story.

If there's one thing that lets it down, it's the running time. Every con-man movie eventually relies on a clever twist and Johnson seems overly determined to avoid making it to obvious by going back and forth between who's in on the scam and who isn't that the whole routine outstays its welcome. Regardless of a dragged out final act, there's lots to have fun with here.