As we first meet them, they have just pulled off a successful con and are celebrating. Well, Stephen is celebrating and Bloom is planning his exit from this life. And so Bloom exits, heading off into the sunset for a life of unwritten anonymity. Of course, this does not last long as Stephen tracks him down to pull off one last con. The target is Penelope Stamp (Rachel Weisz), a rich orphan who lives a secluded life inside her large estate where she collects hobbies. The con is simple — get her out of her shell and encourage her to finance their antique business.
What they could not foresee is the relationship that develops between Bloom and Penelope. It crosses the line between a con-man and his mark and moves into something that is much more real and throws a large monkey wrench into their plans. I could continue with a plot description, but that would be a disservice to the wonders and twists contained within that deserve to be discovered fresh.
The Brothers Bloom is a movie that plays out like a snowball rolling down a mountain, gaining size, increasing in speed, running out of control, yet presents a beautiful image of complete destruction. The characters' fates are set in stone, yet they move through life wild and unhinged. It is truly a sight to see.
What helps this movie take the leap from good to great is in that way it surges along on an endless wave of kinetic energy, but also in the way the characters are approached by Rian Johnson, the writer, and the performers in question.
Mark Ruffalo has a rough and tumble take on Stephen. He is clearly the instigator, the brains of the outfit, always looking out for Bloom and loving the craft that goes into creating the con. Then there is Adrien Brody, whose character seems happy, but underneath the veneer is a person of profound sadness and loneliness, whose entire life has seemingly been scripted by his brother. He longs for something more, something real and it is tearing him up inside the way it is just beyond the grasp of his fingertips. Completing our primary trio is Rachel Weisz, whose Penelope has a similar sadness to her life, not because it has been scripted, but because she has been so alone and so cooped up inside the walls of her estate, she does not know how to talk to people. Her sadness is underlined by composer Nathan Johnson's theme for the character — it's happy on the surface, but with an undercurrent of sadness.
Article comments
1 - Ruth Seeley
Saw The Brothers Bloom a few days ago, not having a read a review or heard of Rian Johnson. Loved it. This film works on so many levels - and poses so many questions. It's simultaneously quirky, profound, and funny.