Four Brothers

Although it tries to be too many things all at the same time, Four Brothers succeed. It succeeds mainly because of the actors, Mark Wahlberg, who plays Bobby (The oldest, who has a tendency to act out of anger and on impulse.), Andre Benjamin, who plays Jeremiah (The next oldest, family man and the most stable of the four), Tyrese Gibson, who plays Angel ( The stud), Garrett Hedlund, who plays Jack (the youngest of the four and a would be rock star). All are former foster kids, who no one wanted, and who eventually were adopted by Evelyn Mercer (Fionnula Flanagan). Two white and two black brothers, who couldn’t be any closer if they’d come from the same womb.

All four brothers were incorrigible in their youth, and as the movie unfolds, you realize they still are. However, you also realize that if not for her protection, her nurturing and encouragement these boys would have ended up in prison or the cemetery. Granted, we get to see they are not exactly successful, model citizens, but they are decent men.

The brothers return home to Detroit after their mother is killed in a store robbery. It becomes apparent that the robbery was just to cover up what turns out to be a contract killing. Someone deliberately set up their mother to be executed. This is when the movie takes off.The lieutenant on the case, Green (played by Terrence Howard who gives an Oscar worthy performance in the movie Hustle & Flow), is as anxious to find those responsible as the Mercer brothers, but he cautions them to let him handle it. He apparently grew up with them and had love and respect for Evelyn Mercer. But since when did any of these boys obey anyone but ’’mama’’ Mercer?

With the help of the Mercer brothers brute force, various clues come to light. Somehow, Jeremiah and Victor Sweet (Chiwetel Ejiofor), notorious crime boss in Detroit’s underworld are involved with Evelyn’s death. The Mercer boys go on a rampage, leaving bodies in their wake. Victor Sweet, realizing the brothers know he is involved, sends his goons after them. The action sequences are well crafted, taut and suspenseful.

Sprinkled throughout is humor, generated by the brothers interacting with each other, the teasing, the snappy quips. Then every now and then, there is a moment of tender sentimentality. There is a scene at the dinner table, where the boys, determined to do as “Mom” would have wanted, share a Thanksgiving meal. Each one looks at the empty chair at the head of the table, and imagines or remembers things mother Mercer said. Credit must be given to screenwriter David Elliott for fusing most of these elements successfully. Occasionally one must suspend belief in order to enjoy what is taking place, but so what....by movie’s end you feel elated for having had the experience, and isn’t that what it’s all about?

For those of you who were wondering whether Andre Benjamin can act - He can, and quite well. He holds his own in the presence of some of Hollywood’s most gifted young actors. Each one rises to the challenge, and the chemistry between all is realistic and entertaining.

There is a scene in which Bobby is sitting on the toilet reading the paper with the door open. Angel comes in to talk to him while Jack is in the bathtub taking a shower. All done naturally, like close brothers or family members often do. This is an element exploited to good advantage by director, John Singleton, throughout the film there are similar familial scenes inserted, which makes one believe these 4 men are brothers, and undeniably grew up in the same household.

Forget about it being a classic - It is not. Forget about it being some psychological yarn which leaves you thinking long after you’ve left the theater - It won’t. This movie is simply a rousing, shoot ‘em up, heart-warming and entertaining film, that will make you feel good while watching it, and lift your spirits the rest of the day.

Go see it with friends, with your spouse, or the whole family - If nothing else, the old Motown tunes put to good use in the background of this film, makes the experience worth the price of the ticket.

Actors

Mark Wahlberg

Chiwetel Ejiofer

Director:        John Singleton

Screenwriter:    David Elliot

Paul Lovett