The Brothers Bloom

Name: The Brothers Bloom
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Comedy, Romance
Released: May 15, 2009
Duration: 114 min
Rating: 55
Cast: Adrien Brody, Mark Ruffalo, Rachel Weisz

2009

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 26 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 193 Ratings

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8.4

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8.4	User Score Universal acclaim based on 193 Ratings

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The Brothers Bloom

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Movie Details & Credits

Summit Entertainment | Release Date: May 15, 2009 | PG-13

Starring: Adrien Brody, Mark Ruffalo, Rachel Weisz

Summary: For as long as they can remember, the Brothers Bloom have had only each other to depend on. From their childhood in a long series of gloomy foster homes to their highflying lives as international con artists, Stephen and Bloom have shared everything. Stephen brilliantly concocts intricate stories that the brothers live out, but he's stillFor as long as they can remember, the Brothers Bloom have had only each other to depend on. From their childhood in a long series of gloomy foster homes to their highflying lives as international con artists, Stephen and Bloom have shared everything. Stephen brilliantly concocts intricate stories that the brothers live out, but he's still searching for the perfect con, the one where "everyone gets what they want." Meanwhile, Bloom yearns for "an unwritten life"—a real adventure, one not dreamed up by his old brother. Eager to retire, Bloom agrees to take part in one last grand scam. He insinuates himself into the life of Penelope, a bored, single New Jersey heiress. When a genuine romance begins to blossom between them, he is reluctant to exploit her naivete, but Penelope has already taken the bait. But as Stephen's elaborate web of deceit pulls tighter, Bloom begins to wonder if his brother has devised the most dangerous con of his life. (Summit Entertainment)… Expand

Director: Rian Johnson

Genre(s): Adventure, Drama, Comedy, Romance

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 114 min

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Critic Reviews

Claudia Puig

The Brothers Bloom has it all: charming romance, jaunty adventure story, witty dialogue, gorgeous cinematography and superb performances. Read full review

Owen Gleiberman

This time we expect to be played, but the twist is that we're also touched -- which, the film implies, is the cinema's own form of deception. Read full review

John Anderson

The Brothers Bloom is all about exploding forms, tropes and archetypes. But it's also a charmer, a witty sandbagging of one's resistance to fairy tale and a movie afflicted with a kind of comic Tourette's syndrome. Read full review

Ty Burr

Breezily enjoyable for about 10 minutes, until you realize the entire movie is going to be pitched at the same exuberantly manic pace. It's like being trapped in an elevator with a performing poodle that doesn't know when to quit. Read full review

J.R. Jones

It often seems precious and overconceived, its accumulating crosses and double-crosses as devoid of consequence as a child's backyard game. Read full review

Lou Lumenick

The movie fails to add up to the sum of its laborious parts. There's no emotional investment in any of the characters, and you can see the writer-director's windup con coming a mile away. Read full review

Staff (Not credited)

An overstuffed failure that mistakes sleight storytelling for dazzling entertainment. Read full review

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User Reviews

Aug 5, 2011

AMAZING i love this movie i dont know why this movie got any reviews below a 9, great story great actors and it has an amazing plot. my favorite movie by far. a must see

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

julesv

Jul 13, 2009

This is a fun excellent, entertaining movie which I though Hollywood was about....If you want to watch miserable movies about reality and the rip-off of the American People, watch the films of Barack Obama.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

conniel

Oct 9, 2009

The movie displayed elegant art and I loved it!!!

0 of 0 users found this helpful

CindyT

May 16, 2009

Movie was fun, very entertaioning, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was paaced well, I loved the opening sequence with the boys, especially Young Bloom was very expresice and it set the tone for the rest of the movie. I thought it was very well done. I recommend it wholeheartedly and will Movie was fun, very entertaioning, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was paaced well, I loved the opening sequence with the boys, especially Young Bloom was very expresice and it set the tone for the rest of the movie. I thought it was very well done. I recommend it wholeheartedly and will see it again. A great fun evening of entertainment.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Critic2012

Jan 30, 2013

It has action, cheerful comedy, touching romance, tricky capers which are never what they appear to be, and a style of its own that makes the film a fantastic original that certainly deserves more acclaim than it has received.

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

BradleyT.

Jun 15, 2009

A bit uneven in the beginning, but the emotional payoff at the end is amazing.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

seancriswell

Apr 3, 2013

So your watching a movie and it is very character and dialogue driven. Then you suddenly realize that your favorite character in the film hasn't said a word. I would say chances are your not enjoying the film all that much. I sought out The Brothers Bloom after loving Johnson's Looper lastSo your watching a movie and it is very character and dialogue driven. Then you suddenly realize that your favorite character in the film hasn't said a word. I would say chances are your not enjoying the film all that much. I sought out The Brothers Bloom after loving Johnson's Looper last year, and liking Brick quite well after that. Hopefully The Brothers Bloom will be a little remembered blip on the directors resume as his career continues. It is the story of two orphaned brothers who at an early age develop a knack for the con.

In my opinion a good con movie is hard to pull off. First of all you have to make the audience connect with characters who are doing deplorable things because that is who your story has to center around. I think Johnson does this well enough. Secondly the con needs to be written so the audience understands it, but it fools them. It also must be believable enough that the target would be fooled as well. This is my biggest issue with The Brothers Bloom. The major con is so dull in fact that I had little interest in any twist that would come. Johnson also falls into the annoying habit of twisting the twist. When a director does this too often I don't feel pleasantly fooled anymore, I feel annoyed with the direction the story has taken.

The Brothers Bloom does again show off Johnson's ability to build an entertaining world. The characters are entertaining, each with a distinct style. I enjoy Johnson's use of score and music where necessary. Johnson is a stylish filmmaker and that is on full display here. Overall this film just falls short in its story arc, and at the end of the day that is the most important part of a con film.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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