Brothers (2009)
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The story
In 2007, USMC officer Sam Cahill prepares for deployment to Afghanistan while his younger brother, Tommy, is released from prison. After Sam's helicopter is shot down and he is captured by the Taliban, he is presumed dead by the government. When he is eventually rescued and returns home, he suffers from severe post-traumatic stress disorder. As Sam struggles to reintegrate into his life with his wife Grace and their two daughters, his paranoia and trauma create a growing rift between him and his family, while the complicated relationship between his wife and his brother adds to the tension.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Sam Cahill, a USMC officer, is deployed to Afghanistan in 2007. His brother Tommy is released from prison at the same time. During the war, Sam's helicopter is downed, and he is captured by the Taliban. He is declared dead but is eventually rescued. Upon returning home, Sam suffers from severe PTSD and paranoia. He becomes suspicious of his wife Grace's relationship with Tommy, who has been spending time with the family. The tension peaks during a birthday party where Sam's behavior becomes erratic. After a confrontation where Sam destroys a kitchen and holds Tommy at gunpoint, he is arrested and hospitalized. Grace eventually gives him an ultimatum to tell the truth. Sam confesses to his wife that he killed his fellow soldier, Joe Willis, during his captivity. The film ends with the brothers embracing as Sam faces the reality of his trauma.
- First release year
- 2009
- Runtime (minutes)
- 105
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Jim Sheridan
- Writers
- David Benioff · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Tobey Maguire · Capt. Samuel "Sam" Cahill; Jake Gyllenhaal · Thomas "Tommy" Cahill; Natalie Portman · Grace Cahill; Sam Shepard · Henry "Hank" Cahill; Mare Winningham · Elsie Cahill; Bailee Madison · Isabelle Cahill; Taylor Geare · Margaret "Maggie" Cahill; Patrick Flueger · Pvt. Joseph "Joe" Willis
- Genres
- psychological thriller; war
- Themes
- post-traumatic stress disorder; brotherhood; war's impact on family; trauma
- Tone and mood
- dark; heavy-handed
- Premise and plot tags
- war; trauma; military; family drama
- Source material / true-story basis
- 2004 Danish film by Susanne Bier; inspired by the Odyssey by Homer
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews from critics, though Tobey Maguire's performance was specifically praised.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 58 · scale: 100 · review count: 31
- Production trivia
- The film is a remake of a Danish film.; The film was inspired by the Odyssey.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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