THERE ARE TWO SIDES TO EVERY FAMILY.
Marine Captain Sam Cahill (Tobey Maguire) leaves his wife and children for a tour in Afghanistan; when he’s reported killed, his screw-up brother (Jake Gyllenhaal) becomes virtually a surrogate father. This drama has the potential of greatness, but anyone looking for the real deal should check out the original, the Danish Brothers (2004). Jim Sheridan’s take on the story is faithful, but oddly uninvolving even though it is particularly relevant to an American audience. One reason is Maguire who looks a bit creepy already before his stint in Afghanistan.
2009-U.S. 104 min. Color. Widescreen. Directed by Jim Sheridan. Screenplay: David Benioff. Cast: Tobey Maguire (Sam Cahill), Jake Gyllenhaal (Tommy Cahill), Natalie Portman (Grace Cahill), Sam Shepard, Bailee Madison, Patrick Flueger… Carey Mulligan.
