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Overview
Brotherly Love is certainly appealing but at the same time, it seems like a TV movie that somehow ended up in theaters.
Trigger Warning(s): Gun Violence
Review (with Spoilers) – Below
Characters & Story
The Taylor family, comprised of Jackie (KeKe Palmer), June (Cory Hardrict), Sergio (Eric D. Hill Jr.), and their mom (Macy Gray), has gone through a lot. First off, their father died, thus sending their mom into some sort of depression and then, to top things off, June is supporting the family through being involved in something which doesn’t pay taxes. Though while the family certainly does have a cloud over its head, thanks to June’s job bills are paid, and everyone has pocket change. Also, Sergio can focus on basketball and Jackie on school. However, with June being a prominent member of the neighborhood, and outsiders trying to play him, you are left wondering when will karma come back around to give him his due? Much less, will his family suffer alongside him?
Praise
Multiple times over the past few days I have mentally gone back and forth about seeing this. After all, no one in the film has the type of film or TV record which made me feel confident this could be good. And while it certainly wouldn’t fit alongside many of the 90s classic urban films, I do feel this film is decent. The romance provided by Jackie and Chris (Quincy Brown), is cute and becomes eventually complicated; Sergio’s situation, due to June’s actions, leaves you wondering if his dreams may come to reality or dissipate within the clouds; and with all the action June brings to the film, you won’t be left yawning or checking the time.
Criticism
However, one thing that is quickly noticeable is that this film uses all the familiar archetypes. Whether it is Jackie being the good girl, who dates a boy with a past; Sergio being the sports star with bad influences all around; or Gray playing the type of parent who seems to more so mooch than provide, everything will likely feel strongly familiar.
Though it is the script, if not the actors, which is what turns this theatrical release into something you’d expect to see on B.E.T., if they allowed cursing, gun shots, and repeated use of the N-word. For you can really see that no one in the film really has that type of star power which has them shine any more than the rest. Which isn’t to say they aren’t all decent actors, but it is just between Palmer’s crying scenes; the weak character which is Sergio; the uninspired gangster portrayal Hardrict brings; and Gray continuously playing the type of character which fits her voice and mannerisms, nothing in this film seems like anyone was trying to make something to do more than pass the time.
Overall: TV Viewing
This certainly isn’t an opening weekend film, and unless you have MoviePass like I do, and want to get your money’s worth, I don’t see the point in rushing to see this in theaters before Avengers likely takes its screens. If only because nothing at all new is presented in terms of what we have seen with urban dramas and nothing about this film screams “You must see me now!” unless you are the type who firmly believes in supporting Black films even when they are average at best. Hence the TV Viewing label for this film seems inspired by the late 80s, and the films which made Black films considered great in the 90s, but with everything watered down and copied.
Things to Note
This film probably has one of the best soundtracks I have heard in a while, and I certainly may not take KeKe Palmer seriously as a dramatic actress but may take her a bit more serious as a singer.
Collected Quote(s)
“Your character is gonna determine your future, not your talent.”
— Brotherly Love
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