Brother (Mon frère) – Review, Summary (with Spoilers)

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Brother (Mon frère) is far more appealing in the trailer than the actual film.

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Directed By		Julien Abraham
Written By		Almamy Kanoute, Julien Abraham, Jimmy Laporal-Trésor
Date Released (Netflix)		11/22/2019
Genre(s)		Drama
Noted Cast
Teddy	MHD
Enzo	Darren Muselet
Mo	Najeto Injai

Plot Summary/ Review

After an incident that leaves his father dead, Teddy awaits trial at a youth custody center. A place where he is bullied by a kid named Enzo until he is given the opportunity to become the bully. Yet, with that not being who he is, he instead focuses on a means to find peace with what happened, one way or another.

Highlights

The Youth Custody Center Portion Of The Film

Being that the youth custody center wasn’t like a prison, due to the kids having a decent range of freedom, it sets up the perfect opportunity to get to know these boys. Be it why they were in the center, how the different cultures and ethnicities of France interact, or even get to know their caretakers, of which one was in the position they were years ago.

Criticism

Most Of The Characters Are Just Filler

However, you come to learn most of the kids aren’t worth trying to catch the name of and associating a face to. In fact, you barely learn a thing about most of them. They are just filler because you know Teddy can’t be the only kid with a court date pending or who has broken the law to the point of requiring separation from society. Making some characters like Mo just missed opportunities.

On The Fence

The Road Trip To Amsterdam

After a certain point, the film abandons any and all you expected and becomes a road trip. The kind which, if that was the original sell, you could maybe get into. But, considering how it comes about and what comes of it, it ultimately makes you feel that Brother wasted its potential.

Overall

Met Expectations

This was a disappointment for me. I was expecting to be in my emotions, and not one tear fell. More so, I was just waiting for that redeeming moment that never showed up.

Would Watch Again?

I’m surprised I finished watching this.

Rating: Negative (Acquired Taste)

The issue with Brother is that it flirts with its strong points then completely abandons them in a bait and switch move. Leaving you feeling tricked, unimpressed, and wishing Teddy heading to Amsterdam was more so part of an epilogue than roughly the last half hour.

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