As a seasoned cinephile with over three decades of film-watching under my belt, I must say that “Brothers” has proven to be a delightful addition to my cinematic journey. The ensemble cast is nothing short of stellar, with Josh Brolin and Peter Dinklage delivering their unique brand of sibling rivalry in a raunchy crime comedy that’s as entertaining as it is unpredictable.
As a movie enthusiast, I can tell you that the gripping drama “Brothers” features me, Josh Brolin, and Peter Dinklage portraying squabbling siblings attempting to break free from their criminal lineage with one last major heist. The raunchy crime comedy boasts an impressive cast of seasoned actors, including Oscar winners Brendan Fraser, Marisa Tomei, Glenn Close (with eight Oscar nominations under her belt), and the late M. Emmet Walsh in one of his final performances. I, Max Barbakow, director who is best recognized for my debut feature “Palm Springs”, shared insights with MovieWeb regarding the film’s challenging path to production and its exclusive streaming debut on Prime Video.
Finally Getting Brothers to Prime Video
The actors Brolin and Dinklage were tied to the project for a long time and faced financing issues, but luckily, director Barbakow came on board at the perfect moment. As the director put it, “It seemed sudden to me, as if I hopped onto a train that was already speeding away. Perhaps that’s the secret – to catch the ride when it’s already departed.” He had some prior acquaintance with Peter and admired both of them greatly. Barbakow also received a script from him, which Macon Blair had written. Blair is well-known for his collaborations with director Jeremy Saulnier on films like “Blue Ruin” and “Green Room”. Continuing the conversation, Barbakow added:
From the very first page, I was hooked on this project due to its unique tone, dialect, and the palpable energy it exuded. The characters these actors would portray, and their innovative twists on their personas, were incredibly alluring to me. Intrigued, I promptly joined the team, and we began filming within a year. Creating the perfect story requires patience and diligence. Sometimes, it seems as though the movie gods have their own reasoning. I’m grateful that this project found its way to me and allowed me to contribute to it.
The Crazy Talented Cast Playing Crazy Characters
Fans haven’t witnessed Brendan Fraser in a humorous character like this since the 1992 film “Encino Man.” Similarly, Glenn Close displays an amusing facet of herself that contrasts sharply with her dramatic role in “The Deliverance” from this year. Director Barbakow attests that his star-studded cast brought out their comedic talents and wholeheartedly embraced the eccentric, over-the-top characters in the film.
It turned out fortunate for us as a team that we had some pre-production time for this film. This involved quite a bit of idle conversation, sharing anecdotes about our families, and essentially exploring the characters’ backgrounds and personalities. Interestingly, it wasn’t until the actual shooting day that the project truly took shape, and our decisions became clear.
Barbakow remarked, “I believe everyone grasped the peculiar logic of this film, which is what drew me to it. It’s an unusual, unanticipated movie about an unusual, eccentric family. The actors seemed to enjoy challenging their usual roles and doing unexpected things. There was a sense of camaraderie, a willingness to experiment. Everyone was eager to participate and have fun with the project. Frankly, there aren’t many original comedies like this being produced nowadays.
Working with CGI Orangutans & M. Emmet Walsh
The topic of our discussion shifted towards the scene-stealing CGI ape character in the movie. Actress Devyn Dalton, who portrayed Tomei’s lewd orangutan named Samuel, generated lots of laughter. Interestingly, even Brolin and Dinklage mentioned that the Screen Actors Guild required an intimacy coordinator for Samuel’s amorous actions, making the scene even more intriguing.
Devyn Dalton showcased exceptional talent when she portrayed the character Samuel. Directing her performance was similar to managing any other scene with the assistance of an intimacy coordinator. We strategized and found solutions, resulting in a hilarious and peculiar rendition that surpassed the film’s version, as it was solely Devyn, donning a motion capture suit, delivering an outstanding performance.
Barbakow commented, “It was truly peculiar yet fascinating to craft the orangutan in post-production, as Devyn’s facial expressions provided us with a wealth of material. We added to the scene Samuel’s sounds for scoring, and animated the creature accordingly, which significantly enhanced the comedic aspect.
I’ve always cherished my experiences collaborating with M. Emmett Walsh, a screen veteran whose work has graced our viewing screens for decades. I recall the infectious energy and spirit he infused into our set, despite the evident challenges to his health.
“We all seemed to have an absolutely fantastic time together, thanks largely to him who managed to break the ice several times. When he arrived, he made it clear that his memory wasn’t as sharp as before, so I was there to assist him. In turn, the whole experience felt like a team sport with everyone contributing. He even handed out $2 bills and headshots to everyone! It was an incredibly moving experience, and I’m grateful we were able to have him in the movie.
Brothers is currently available to stream on Prime Video. You can watch through the link below.
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2024-10-24 03:05