"The Brothers Bloom" (2009) - Movie Review

“The Brothers Bloom” does not intend to con its audience but only the protagonist, Bloom (Adrien Brody). The setting for these brothers Stephen (Mark Ruffalo) and Bloom in their child hood is said as Wes Anderson introduction. As orphans and being the foster kids, Stephen saw the trick of tricking people and he does his first con which comforts his brother to belong some where and earn a little cash. Being in a part of the plan, Bloom breaks the ice with his child hood crush and lives the life of a regular kid once. He becomes the face to pull through Stephen’s plan there after.

Writer/Director Rian Johnson whose “Brick” tells a neo-noir story set oddly in a high school environment. It was a film not empty for uniqueness yet left me a little unsatisfied. In this film, it starts off as a relaxing coffee time at our local cafe with a jazz music in the back ground we would not buy. Then the jazz music fades off and the lights are dimmed to see a teeny weeny bit of reality in this otherwise arranged screenplay. We begin to consider the relationship and character study of these con people.

I do not know about real cons but if in a film, a character says he/she are done with the business and wants out, then there will always be a “final” job. Growing up they have made a name for themselves in popularity. Who are these people cheering for them being the stars for swindling millionaires? Well, those are the quibbles which never gets answered in a con film for sleek fun and entertainment.

Stephen knows people and I mean, he knows people. He can predict the next move for any one and hence he is a planner too. He can control those in his story and not in the real world. He identifies an easy target for their next con. A lonely heir of a billionaire family is Penelope (Rachel Weisz). She learns everything on her own. That would be the reason for her using the crash method to stop her Ferrari. This is where you wonder how come she is single for a woman who looks Rachel Weisz and is interesting in her obsession for learning hobbies. A sad back story of her child hood is enough to shut our mouth and continue watching.

Stephen could have laid out a more simple plan to extract money out of her. But he says to Bloom that to give her an adventure life she would enjoy. Thus begins a journey to Prague and Bloom as expected falling for her. Who would not? Penelope is the sweetest and bubbling woman a man could not possibly resist in adoring her. After the million dollars is diddled out from her, the story becomes this scenes of doubt on whether it is real or still a part of the con, which it mostly is, or may be not. See what I mean.

Mark Ruffalo and Adrien Brody make good brothers. Along with the side kick Rinko Kikuchi as Bang Bang, their team has those charm to attract fans. But Rachel Weisz as this innocent but skillful Penelope is the stand out performance. The first time she kisses Brody’s Bloom, she is excited and surprised by his French kissing ability. You do not see lonely characters getting their long last touch bringing the excitement in films. And she is a treat to watch being the woman to fall in love for.

“The Brothers Bloom” has some spectacular slow motion shots which are sparse but effectively employed. The expectation in the con film is to have the big pay off, the unexpected solution. The solution that rewards the con characters we are now fan of. We want them to win the prize and emotionally becoming completely satisfied. That is where the cafe shop coffee would be. This film though while not an utter downing darkness is rather a good ending leaving to feel a pleasant experience with its audience.