The Brothers Bloom (2009)

I have at different times in my life, sold sand to an Arab and ice to an Eskimo.

– Stephen

After countless recommendations on different podcasts and on twitter, I am glad that The Brothers Bloom came out on DVD recently. As much I disliked writer/director Rian Johnson’s debut, Brick, I wanted to see this movie when I caught the opening sequence on Hulu before it was released. Watching the movie, I was blown away that I loved the film.

The titular brothers, Stephen and Bloom (Mark Ruffalo, Adrien Brody) are con artists that have been at the game since they were little being bounced around the foster care system.

Older brother Stephen is enjoying the thrill of the con, but the younger brother, Bloom had grown tired of the con life. He wants to get out.

With their demolition assistant, Bang Bang (Rinko Kikuchi) by their side, the brothers sent out to pull off one last con before Bloom hangs up his bag of tricks for good.

Their last mark is an eccentric heiress named Penelope Stamp (Rachel Weisz). The problem from the get-go is that Bloom has broken the cardinal rule of con artists, never fall in love with the mark.

As the elaborately constructed con commences, the situation spirals out of the control when the group has to deal with the Curator (Robbie Coltrane) and their mentor, Diamond Dog (Maximilian Schell).

I underestimated the genius that is Rian Johnson. I had low expectations of this movie, but I was dead wrong about it.

The performances from the principal cast were astounding, especially Rachel Weisz. She was magnetic on screen. Her innocence and quirkiness struck a nerve with me. The European locations were full of poetry and life. Nathan Johnson’s score was perfect. The dialogue was sweet in one instance and the next would throw you in a loop. Even the narration by Ricky Jay, which I normally think is pointless, works well the tone of the whimsical nature of the film. Fantastic.

Judgment: Buy this movie as you are reading this review. You will not regret it.

Rating: *****