Brothers (Snitchling)

Good performances abound in this one, but overall not really that exciting of a movie. A stacked cast including Natalie Portman, Toby Maguire, and Jake Gyllenhaal centers on the relationship of two brothers who have diametrically opposed pasts. Maguire plays the war hero with a beautiful wife, Portman, and a great family. Gyllenhaal plays the brother with the criminal past who must deal with his family when returning home. Maguire is sent to Afghanistan and leaves Gyllenhaal with his wife and children. After Maguire is declared dead, a romance sparks between Portman and Gyllenhaal. Maguire miraculously returns and must cope with his struggles in Afghanistan along with his brother. The long explanation is necessary to explain that while the story is interesting it really has no pop. Maguire puts a special performance, but at the end of the day the movie does not really go anywhere. It is really about Maguire readjusting into society, than about a scandalous relationship with his wife. The trailer really portrays the movie in a different light. I would highly recommend waiting for DVD or pay-per-view.