Brothers Plot Summary and Details

Plot

Jim Sheridan's film, adapted from Susanne Bier's 2004 movie, concerns Captain Sam Cahill (Tobey Maguire), a Marine who receives orders to ship out for yet another tour of duty in Afghanistan. But before he leaves his supportive wife, Grace (Natalie Portman), and his two elementary-school-age daughters, Sam picks up his black sheep brother, Tommy (Jake Gyllenhaal), who has finished a prison stretch for robbing a bank. While overseas, Sam's aircraft gets shot down and he's thought dead. Back home, irresponsible Tommy gets his act together in order to be an anchor for Grace and the girls, and the two grow emotionally -- though not physically -- close. As the family finally begins to make peace with their grief, soldiers rescue POW Sam and he returns home. Sam's experiences overseas have caused him such emotional turmoil, he has a difficult time adjusting to civilian life, and soon his fear and paranoia manifest themselves in the form of jealousy for his brother's relationship with his wife. Sam Shepard and Mare Winningham co-star as the brothers' father and stepmother.

MPAA Rating:

R for language and some disturbing violent content.

Genre(s):

Drama,War

Run Time:

110min.

Theatrical Release Date:

12/04/2009

DVD Release Date:

03/23/2010

Distributor(s):

Lionsgate

Director(s):

Jim Sheridan

Starring:

Tobey Maguire , Jake Gyllenhaal , Natalie Portman , Sam Shepard , Clifton Collins, Jr.

Themes:

Home From the War,Love Triangles,Sibling Relationships

Tone:

Austere,Somber,Disturbing

Keywords:

Afghanistan,POW (Prisoner of War),brother,father,grief,post-traumatic-stress,wife,betrayal,black-sheep,ex-convict,misconception,rage,veteran [military],violence

Country of Origin:

USA (12-04-2009)

Language:

English