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Tobey Maguire (Spiderman) and Jake Gyllenhaal (Rendition) star in this drama about two brothers. One is headed off to war and the other has just been released from Prison. This is the story of how the two bothers cope with life after Maquire is captured in Afghanistan. As events unfold the viewer is left to wonder which one is bad and which one is good, or it is just fate that determines that. The movie is very good and tells a very powerful story. The movie deals with the horrors of war and how those left at home cope. Additional cast includes: Natalie Portman, Sam Shepard, Clifton Collins, Jr. and Mare Winningham Get this one, it is a very thought provoking movie.
There were numerous films in 2010 that made an impression on me. This was one of them. Although my brother and I have never served in the military, the fact that my grandfather served in World War II makes this story much harder to turn away from. Emotions start flying high as we see the players in this film try to make some sense out of the brother's missing in action. Although I found it hard to believe that the Marines would tell a family that they were dead without a body, this film chose to capitalize on the fact that he was reported as dead. They also went ahead an had a funeral for him. Something else that really was an obvious blunder that the director must not have thought people wouldn't notice was that the film takes place is Pennsylvania during the winter months, hence all the snow. However, it was filmed in New Mexico and California. All of the vehicles have license plates from those two states rather than Pennsylvania plates. Although this film had a strong military theme, it actually turns out being about people, their relationships, and emotions that they deal with when someone dies from wartime. The film is well crafted from start to finish, although, I personally feel that there were many things that were left untold and unfinished. The cast and direction was wonderfully woven together making us really hate what comes out of this tragedy. It's highly possible to have thought that either brother in this film could have be playing the other role, which is quite ironic, since Gyllenhaal was almost about to play Spiderman II if Maguire had not recuperated from a bad back injury before production. The plot of the film goes something like this: In a family of a retired Marine Sergeant (Sam Shepard), there are two sons Sam Cahill (Toby Maguire) an active duty Captain, and Tommy (Jake Gyllenhaal), an Ex-con who gets released from prison just about the time his brother is about to return to the war in Afghanistan. When his brother is lost in Afghanistan the brother slowly steps up to support the wife and two girls. When Maguire is found alive months later the dynamic of the family is greatly changed as the whole family works out the complications of their lives. This is one of the best pictures of the year, dramatic, involving, with good dialog and scene; and the actors and director play them to the hilt. Carey Mulligan has a very small part in this film. She plays Cassie Willis, the wife of the soldier Private Joe Willis (Patrick John Flueger) who was killed by Sam in Afghanistan. Mulligan later mentioned in an interview at the Sundance Film Festival that she got the role after sending an audition tape to America; when they shot her scenes, it was at about 3.00am, and it was largely improvised (something she enjoyed). She called it a "trial by fire". The weirdest thing about this film was her loving, concerned, and empathetic reaction to Sam when he finally broke down and told her that he ultimately was responsible for his death. It's really also somewhat odd to think that when Sam visits his own grave, it shows he was born in 1987 and died in 2008, making him 21 at time of death which is quite extremely young to have both a 6-year-old and an older daughter. The most shocking line in the entire film came from Isabelle Cahille (Bailee Madison) when she screamed out, "Why couldn't you just stay dead?". This, of course was aimed directly at Sam, who suddenly appeared back on the scene. This is a must see film.Read full review
This 2009 movie had me in tears! With super performances by all, we are allowed to see a family in crisis. We see two brothers in a military family: the older, Captain Sam Cahill (Tobey Maguire), and the younger screw up brother, Tommy (Jake Gylenhaal). Sam is going for another deployment to Afghanistan; Tommy is just getting out of prison for a foiled bank robbery. Their brotherly love is great. In spite of not understanding each other, they have fun together before Sam leaves. At a send off party for Sam, we also meet the brothers' parents, Hank (Sam Shepard) and step-mother Elsie (Mare Winningham). Hank is a Vietnam veteran, who is not really over his tour of duty. We learn that when he returned from Vietnam during the 1970s, he took his frustrations out on his wife and boys. But in 2007, he is praising Sam and cursing Tommy. In fact, Hank's rage against Tommy almost ruins the send off. After Sam leaves, it is almost that we are with him as his helicopter crashes, and we are POWs with him in Afghanistan with another soldier. Nailed into a hole, marched around, and finally forced to view other persecutions, we know that he is coming back because of the movie previews. But what else will he be subjected to beforehand? Meanwhile back home, Sam's widow, Grace (Natalie Portman) tries to cope with raising two young daughters. Holding it together very well, Grace allows Tommy to see his nieces. And Tommy starts to get it together. What will happen here? Before this movie plays itself out, you will see all the questions answered. But more questions will remain. This movie, with at least 5 character studies and two Golden Globe nominations, plays itself out with very emotional performances that most of us could never understand had we not seen this movie. Such a timely movie makes me even more grateful for our troops and what they are sacrificing for us. God bless them and keep them safe!Read full review
I saw this movie previewed and had to have it. I was a bit disappointed. Didn’t feel that it was as interesting as I thought it would be. But it is still a good movie. (: Dvd was pre owned but still in very good condition. Happily adding to my movie collection.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This story is tragic, interesting, funny, heartwarming, touching, and an excellent reminder of the loss of loved ones and the sad truth about PTSD our soldiers are still struggling with. I highly recommend this movie, it really is very good.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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