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Quint's seen Rian Johnson's BRICK follow-up THE BROTHERS BLOOM!
Ahoy, squirts! Quint here with the first look at Rian Johnson’s follow up to his impressive first feature BRICK, a conman flick called THE BROTHERS BLOOM, starring Adrien Brody, Mark Ruffalo and Rachel Weisz.
Biases out of the way up front… I met Rian when he was doing the festival circuit on BRICK and we got along. We’ve kept in touch and I’ve been following his progress on this film since the beginning when I got my hands on his screenplay. I visited the set (read those reports DAY 1, DAY 2, DAY 3) and when Rian was preparing his first test screening I happened to be in LA, so the night before he brought me in to the lab and let me watch the rough cut.
I would count Johnson as a friend, but I also would say that I wouldn’t give a friend a free pass. I might not trash him publicly, but I’d be brutally honest.
With THE BROTHERS BLOOM I don’t have to make excuses for liking the movie. It’s a genuinely good flick and it’s in a completely different universe than BRICK. If I were to classify this film, I’d say it’s like if Hal Ashby had directed THE STING.
The film has that quirky balance of happy-go-lucky and heavy drama that Ashby was king of. Plus there’s also a little bit of a fairy tale aspect to it.
The opening of the movie concerns the origins of the Brothers Bloom and is narrated in rhyme to further underline the fairy tale aspect. You see the young Bloom brothers shuffled from foster home to foster home, always getting kicked out for some scheme or another, but they always have each other.
Setting the tone perfectly the opening shows us the first con from the Brothers Bloom. It’s sweet and lays the playing field for the rest of the movie, gives us the brothers’ set of morals. They believe the best con is one in which everybody, including the mark, gets exactly what they want, be it adventure or a fun afternoon as is the case with the childhood con that opens the movie.
By the time we’re introduced to adult Stephen (Ruffalo) and Bloom (Brody) they’re definitely older, maybe not wiser, but even better at the game than when they were kids. Bloom is tired of it. He resents that he’s only ever the person he wishes he would be when pulling a con. Outside of that, he’s an introvert, shy… but when the con’s on, he’s whatever you need… Romantic, lady-killer, whatever.
He wants out. Stephen loves his brother, but also loves the con, so he’s torn. We’re introduced to Bang-Bang (BABEL’s Rinko Kikuchi), the Brothers’ silent (literally) partner in crime. Kikuchi comes damn close to stealing the movie. Bang-Bang is an expert with explosives and weapons... She’s beautiful, she’s funny and plays the (mostly) silent role for all its worth.
We’re also introduced to their new, and supposedly final, target: an eccentric billionaire named Penelope, played by Rachel Weisz.
Okay. If the rest of the movie didn’t work (which it does) then the fact that this is essentially a Rachel Weisz Fetishists’ dream come true would keep the movie afloat. I don’t think Weisz has ever been more beautiful than she is in this film.
Her character is a bit of a recluse, crashing expensive sports cars because she can’t drive really well and just having another delivered to her mansion, etc. She craves knowledge (she collects hobbies to keep herself occupied, everything from unicycle riding to harp playing), adventure, and even more, companionship. She has lived a very solitary life up until the Brothers Bloom come in promising a grand European adventure in the guise of being antiques dealers.
Penelope is so wide-eyed and innocent that Bloom can’t help falling for her during the con, but then we have to figure out… is he getting what he wants? Is he the mark? Or is the romance happening naturally? If so, what will it mean when they reveal their hand?
That’s the question always in the back of your mind. When is the con over? Who is the real target? At times you’ll be convinced it’s one thing and then by the next reel it’s completely changed and you’re sure you have it figured out now… then it turns on you again.
Also great in smaller roles are Robbie Coltrane and the man, the myth… the legend, Maximilian Schell, who plays a pedophiliac version of Dickens’ Fagan character, a pirate of a man who is always up to no good.
The movie is a great throwback to a better era of film and filmmaking. Even at the rough stage I saw it in (a few unfinished CG elements, like smoke and… chainsaws… yes, chainsaws…) the film flowed well and kept me surprised, which is a treat when you’ve read the script and you’re still surprised by the twists.
I’ve been saying it since I saw BRICK (and before I met him), but I’ll say it again. Rian Johnson is the real deal. People ask me all the time who is the next big thing and I keep referring them to Johnson. He hasn’t embarrassed my recommendations with his sophomore effort, he’s only earned them.
And he put a drunken camel in the movie, so you know he’s got the goods.
I think this hits sometime this fall. I’ll make sure to keep you guys up to date on it. Hopefully we’ll see a trailer soon so you can get a little taste of it yourself.
-Quint
quint@aintitcool.com
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I've been keeping an eye on this one. If Brick is any indication this director has a bright future ahead of him. Thanks for the review man.
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Very much as if Miller's Crossing had been transported to a high school; and I loved the notion that for new slang--i.e. the latest patter kids speak in that is unintelligible to adults--the youngsters reverted back to what you would have said in the 30s ("take a powder", "yegg", "sap", etc.) Still waiting for the Blu-ray version of that one; and this new one looks just as good, if not better. I remember Rachel was pretty hot in those Mummy 2 flashback sequences when she was supposed to be Nefertiti or something...but to be honest, I've never seen her look any less than stunning.
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Might have to check it out
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stupid-as-hell title. And I would know.
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honestly, can anyone name me one that was just "okay"?this looks great, and it's always exciting to see a director that has been sorta labeled a one trick pony after a successful first film do something awesome the second time around.
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there aren't many directors i'll say "i will see anything they do" after just one movie, but rian johnson has my ten bucks, fo' sho'.
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You and I are in total agreement there, mate.
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I liked Brick a ton (there's a pun in there somewhere), I'm really happy to see him take on a bigger budget and see what will come of it.
I will agree that the title is a bit lame, "The Brothers XXXXX" has been milked for too long and somebody in marketing better think up something better.
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I don't know what instruments they used to get that clanging sound that's played throughout the film but it has stuck with me to this day. It's so damn haunting. I loved Brick (especially the chase scene with the loud footsteps) and I have high hope for Brothers Bloom. I've got a weakness for con movies.
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good flick, needed more bang-bang
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I loved Brick and its hard to go wrong with a well told con story so this is looking pretty promising. Don't recall seeing a release date, on its way soon?
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You must tell a Belgian to eat his waffles...
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Brick wasn't the second coming. I really enjoyed it when I first watched it that early Sunday morning after a pub crawl... but after subsequent (sober) viewings, I realized it was just a very enjoyable, solid film. Well made and a fresh, interesting take on th genre, but definitely not deserving of the slavish devotion most "Brick" fans I know "devote" to it. It ain't artsy or original, it's just good, interesting, and highly enjoyable.
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it was very enjoyable and solid... well-made and fresh... it's just good, interesting, and highly enjoyable...
discount it, sure, it's not the 2nd-coming... the 2nd-coming of what, or whom? -
Liked it verry much, but ask most people about it and you'll get a concrete answer of 'what?'.
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I know it's only his first film and all, and people don't want to lavish too much praise on it, but i think that's why it does deserve so much praise. For the guys first film it's fantastic, not just an interesting concept but well written and executed. The camerawork and the use of sound is top notch and there's a great choice of cast. (the girl playing laura is up there with the classic femme fatales, as well as being gorgeous)
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But this looks... well, we'll see.
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all these dopes who poorly imitate Scorcese/Tarantino forget one key issue. Their films are not about the crime, but the criminals. This dude is another one trick pony, like guy ritchie or that idiot that made Boondock Saints
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creepy. The kids at my school dressed like that, Also Creepy!
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All ponys are one trick ponys til' they do two tricks. Give this guy a chance. Wait an minute, brick is all about the fucking characters. This director has mad potential and his first film was not only stylistically ahead of guy richie but thought the noir dialog and style the characters emotions drove the story. Their actions were both reasonable in the presented universe and driven by their passions.
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I'll be curious to see how this turns out.
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...then I'm wholly convinced. Brick was phenomenal and it's the kind of movie that I love watching over and over again. Great script and just balancing on that very fine line between overacting and selling the fiction. Absolutely loved it. You can count me in for seeing this bad boy.
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Honestly, did you see Brick? It was both character-driven (JGL was GREAT in his role) and paid tribute to great noir films. Moreover, when you have Brody and Weisz in your film, you KNOW that character is going to be a focus, because that's what two Oscar-winners can bring to the table.
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LORDRANDO didn't see it. and LORDRANDO if you did, then tell me who Brad Bramish is and his role in the murder...
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I can't wait to see what he does next. Brick is an incredible film, and it needs to be seen by more people. Track it down. This sounds like it's going to be great. The cast, as mentioned already, is impressive. I'm a MAJOR mark for Brody, and Ruffalo is no slouch. Toss in the hotness that is Weisz, and... wow. There are VERY few directors that have me excited these days, but Johnson is absolutely keeping the faith for me. Thanks, Quint, I've been looking forward to hearing about this one.
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It seemed like the sort of movie that would appeal to me - but I switched it off about 25-30 minutes in, I just didn't find it engaging at all. Hopefully this is better, the cast looks great.
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of what he was able to achieve with a limited budget, especially the amazing shot composition and reveals, as well as the little ingenious touches. It's been awhile since I've seen it, but the editing when Tug ("Thug")attacks Brendan in the parking lot, and the beautifully composed shot of the shattered backstage drama class mirror are great. I hope to see the same great camera work in this new movie.
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outside the pie shop. Love those moments when we realize later what was happening off-screen. Those shots usually are good for a chuckle, and they broaden the story beyond what you see in the frame.
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...and one of my favorite latter day Simpsons episodes is the one where Homer and Bart con everyone.
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I agree. Great moments. What people forget is that "Brick" was Sam Spade/Philip Marlowe with teenagers. A brilliant, underated movie. Those that didn't get, watch "The Maltese Falcon" or "The Big Sleep" then watch "Brick."
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... with the two men conning the rich, ostensibly naive woman. Since that's such a great movie, I have high hopes for this'un.
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Don't feed the troll.
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Jun 12, 2008 11:16:57 AM CDT
Quint, don't worry about the trailer for this just yet...
by half vader
Get us the HD trailer for BENJAMIN BUTTON, dammit!
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Yarp!
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Judging from that picture, I can't tell if Ruffalo's trying to channel Brett Ratner or Patton Oswalt. Anyone have a guess?
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i liked him better when he was vincent d'onofrio
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Where are you getting all of this info from? Xenu?
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Any filmmaker with rich relatives who doesn't hit them up is not a principled champion of proletarian filmmaking, he's just a FUCKING IDIOT.
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he's actually made a great flick
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Sue me.
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ElvisPresLeeHorsLeeHarveyOswaldOprahWinFreeJackHorkheiMerlhagarDio.j.SimpSonofSammyHaGarthBrookeShields&YarNellCartemErmaBombeXtroyDonahughBeauMontyHall&Oates
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This was far better than The Life Aquatic or The Darjeeling Limited...
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He's sure pissy and self-righteous enough. And wouldn't know an appropriate metaphor if it bit him.
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Well played, sir. I should have actually read my statement after editing the hell out of it before I clicked "Post talkback." While my previous post was repetitive idiocy, Brick isn't on par with Pulp Fiction (and, yes, I actually know people who say that). Brick is great the first time seeing it; then, boring in subsequent viewings. That's why I say it isn't a great movie.
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Brick plays far better on subsequent viewings.
Pulp Fiction is on a different level.
Thinking back on "The Brothers Bloom"; well, I think I am in love with it.
It is not genius, but it is definitely the work of an auteur trying to find his voice. -
Rian Johnson is indeed one of the great 'undiscovered' new directors, and I say that having only seen the one film he made. But he made one hell of an impression.
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Considering it's not coming out for 5 months and most everyone hasn't seen it. Yeah, what's there to talk about. Let's get back to talking about the new Star Wars or something.
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If we prod them will they keep going?
oh, and dug brick. a friend met johnson at a screening in NY, said he was super nice. I'm rooting for this one. -
For a prickass you sure as fuck just devoted a lot of your valuable wit and time to him. (Leans down to child's eye level) I think we all know who the real prickass is, now dont we, Captain? btw, stop watching evening with kevin smith, long drawn out pretentious to be angry/funny went out of style about 5 years before the iphone came out.
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"The Psychology of Dream Analysis"
Interesting if bleak film. -
...Brane is Animal Structure/Thunderballs, so calling him on his "hippie politics" is the complete opposite of what this psycho uber-right wing nutjob stands for. Just so we're clear.
He's a terrible human being, but at least focus on the correct side of the political spectrum.
And maybe watch out for SnakesOnABicycle. It might be him again!
...or not. He does sound like him, though, with less grammar prowess.
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