Brødre

I do not share the general enthusiasm for this psychological drama about painful coping with war experience and marriage breakdown. Firstly, I do not agree with the evident influence of Dogma 95, which, like any dogma, flattens possibilities and burdens the ability to express oneself. Without these limitations, the film would not be more superficial or appealing, but simply more interesting, captivating, and visually impressive. However, what bothers me the most is that the film fails in the most important aspect, in that it has unconvincing psychology because for the characters to behave as the story presents, much more should have happened behind the scenes. Frankly, to break the relationship between a man and a woman, the person doesn't need to be declared dead. Long-term separation, for example during military missions, is enough for alienation. But for the children to spontaneously reject their father upon his return and prefer the substitute partner is extremely unrealistic. Any similar story to this would probably be strongly influenced by other family members, especially the parents, who would make life hell for the daughter-in-law and the other son. Of course, the premise is interesting, and I would prefer the war section taking place in captivity in a distant country, a foreign culture, and a hostile environment. Soviet soldiers had extensive experience with this during their long years of imprisonment in Afghanistan in the 80s. Overall impression: 50%. (02/06/2012)

A hybrid between "dogmatic" naturalism and classical melodrama. The naturalism consists of a hand-held camera and the effort to be a careful observer of events, and the melodrama of a well made plot and impressive music. Sometimes both components exist in a pleasant symbiosis, whilst at other times one seems to undermine the other – Brothers is neither sufficiently corrosive nor sufficiently touching. Nevertheless, the film cannot be denied solid depth and craftsmanship. Moreover, the conclusion is very intelligent and impressive. (07/02/2010)