Review of The Brothers Bloom (2008) by Seth M — 23 Mar 2010

Held back by Adrien Brody's mopey, bland performance in a movie that every other actor is having the time of their lives in, "Brothers Bloom" is an overall fun time.

More mainstream than Johnson's previous film "Brick," "Brother's Bloom" holds on to its out there sensibilities without adding things that usually prohibit more mainstream viewers like 1950's era slang as was the case in "Brick." Every actor gets in on the adventure tale for adults vibe and wants to take the audience on the adventure with them, with the lone exception of Brody. His character is supposed to be sick of the lifestyle the Bloom Brothers are living, but it doesn't come across as such, more like he is sick of the acting lifestyle. Even the introduction of the love interest, played wonderfully by Weisz, does nothing to light his dim bulb. Ruffalo on the other hand, is just what this role called for. Light hearted, larger than life, perfect. Kikuchi is also perfect as the surprisingly fun "Bang Bang." Who knew someone with so little dialogue could be so lovable?

If you are in the mood for an adventure film, with the adventure almost purely through dialogue, this is the movie for you.