amet might have perfected it. That is not to say that there are still numerous pleasures that can be taken away from The Brothers Bloom. This is Rian Johnson's follow up feature to his quite excellent debut 2005's Brick. A noir film about drugs, deception, and death that spoke almost in code and was set in a modern day high school. It was a fresh blending of two stale genres and made me anxious for this newcomers next project. Word must have gotten out about this guys talent because this sucker has got a cast to die for.Steven (Mark Ruffalo) and Bloom (Adrian Brody) star as the two life long con artist brothers. The film begins with their first grift as children involving a first love, a fairy tale, and a hidden third finale where it seems the brothers may have lost control of the con, but is reveled to be merely a piece of the puzzle. A very nice touch that all of this is narrated by Ricky Jay. This opener was amazing, humorous, and it lays the groundwork for the kind of caper film this is going to be. 20 years pass and the brothers are still up to their old tricks. Steven is living the life and loving it as the brains of the operation, and Bloom is the talent who wants out because he is sick of living a lie. So it all comes down to that old promise of "one last job, and then I'm out for good."
The brothers along with a mostly mute demolitions expert Bang Bang (Rinko Kikuchi scene stealer alert!) decide to work the last of their magic that separates a mark from its money on a sweetly charming simpleton named Penelope Stamp (the stunning Rachel Weisz). A wealthy heiress who has never left the house for the most hilarious reasons devised. She is the kind of woman who will trash multiple Ferraris, play numerous musical instruments, and juggle chainsaws on a ten foot tall unicycle. The con involves getting Penelope to fall in love with Bloom and make her believe she is in on the heist. She is quick to give up her money because she has more than enough, and has always wanted a little adventure.
To reveal any more would most likely spoil the fun in seeing where all of this leads. Like any good con game there are crosses and double crosses, and you never really are quite sure when the scenario has stopped being a game and has turned into the real deal. I have to mention the style that this film has is remarkable with a sharp sense of fashion as well. All of the costumes seem straight out of a Vogue magazine and look great on these very handsome players. The color schemes are quite pleasing on the eyes. Pink and green neon signs, burning bookcases, and viewing thunderstorms from a moving train all look amazing. The attitude is so quirky sometimes it feels as if Wes Anderson had made House of Games.
You may see all of the surprises coming a mile away especially if you have seen numerous films about con artists. I was sure I had this one pretty figured out, and for the most part I did. It may be predictable but style, quirk, and likable players can carry a movie a long way sometimes. That's not to say that The Brothers Bloom doesn't have a surprise ace (or in this case a queen of hearts) up it's sleeve. B+
Trailer Report: Zombieland
The last Columbia Pictures trailer that had me cracking up, featured Emma Stone, and had some Van Halen blaring on the soundtrack was a little ditty called Superbad. While I don't believe that this one will be as well received (another zombie movie, really?) I still think it looks pretty rockin. Woody Harrelson, Jessie Eisenberg, and Abigail Breslin (Talk about diverse casting!) play a group of survivors who will battle the living dead at what looks like a theme park. Lack of Brrrrrrrrrrains? Most likely, but seeing Woody blast flesh eaters while hanging from a roller coaster. Tell me that doesn't sound like fun.
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