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Synopsis
Though THE BROTHERS BLOOM seems to be equal parts THE STING
and THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS, director Rian Johnson's second
feature is still strikingly original. Adrien Brody (KING KONG)
and Mark Ruffalo (ZODIAC) star as the siblings of the title,
who have been working as conmen since they were children.
There is a constant tug of war between them, with Bloom
(Brody) desperate to get out of the game, while his brother
Stephen (Ruffalo) drags him back. Like so many other films,
THE BROTHERS BLOOM hinges on "one last job;" here, it is to
steal millions from lonely, bored heiress Penelope (Rachel
Weisz, THE CONSTANT GARDENDER) while they pose as antique
dealers. But Bloom falls in love with the charming Penelope,
and the con gets even more complicated. Johnson's directorial
debut, BRICK, was a critically acclaimed exercise in style,
and THE BROTHERS BLOOM proves to be even better crafted. In
both its gorgeous aesthetic and its witty script, this is a
film that is incredibly modern while it remains in the spirit
of classic con films such as PAPER MOON. Director of
photography Steve Yedlin is a wonder with camera angles and
lighting, while costume designer Beatrix Aruna Pasztor
perfectly creates a vintage-inspired wardrobe for the stars.
With these visuals, it might be difficult for actors to stand
out, but Johnson has assembled a fantastic cast that more than
holds their own. His three leads are great together, and he
gets wonderful supporting work from BABEL's Rinko Kikuchi as a
nearly silent explosives expert and Harry Potter favorite
Robbie Coltrane as a Belgian who may or may not be on their
side (and, in fact, may or may not be Belgian). There are
plenty of twists and turns on this road, but this fun film
proves there's joy in the journey.
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