Jim Sheridan's 'Brothers,' based on Susan Beir's 2004 Danish-language film, is the latest victim to Hollywood's current trend of plucking the rights to well-regarded foreign flicks and making them their own. (The 'Let the Right One In' remake is, sadly, shooting in New Mexico at this very moment.)The new trailer showcases a weepy Natalie Portman mourning the death of her recently "killed in combat" husband, played by Tobey Maguire. Jake Gyllenhaal stars as Maguire's brother, who comforts Portman ... that is, until Maguire makes a miraculous return.
Films dealing with the Middle East crisis generally prove box-office flops, but 'Brothers' has Oscar-bait written all over it. Both Sheridan and Portman, and even Gyllenhaal, are no stranger to the Academy Awards telecast. However, 2009 is quickly becoming stiff competition for Oscar films with the Helen Mirren-starrer 'The Last Station' and Rob Marshall's 'Nine' around the corner.
If anyone can garner the attention of Academy voters, though, it's Sheridan and Portman, who will surely make a run for the Best Director and Best Actress categories, respectively. Maguire might be the clear long-shot as past award-worthy performances in quality pictures like 'The Ice Storm' and 'Wonder Boys' have gone unnoticed.
Add your comments