filmland / By Charlie Myers

Unhappy Families

The surest way to tell that it’s Christmas in Hollywoodland

(Dec. 10, 2009) Previews

Opening Friday, Dec. 11, is Clint Eastwood’s Invictus. Based on a book by John Carlin, the film centers on Nelson Mandela, recently elected as the first black president of South Africa, as he tries to use the 1995 Rugby World Cup to unify his country. Morgan Freeman is Mandela and Matt Damon is the rugby captain for the South African team. Rated PG-13 for brief strong language. 134 m. At the Broadway, Mill Creek and the Minor.

Disney brings us The Princess and the Frog, an animated tale presumably inspired by the Grimm Brothers’ “The Frog Princess.” With music by Randy Newman and set in the Louisiana bayous, Anika Noni Rose (Dreamgirls) is the voice of the beautiful girl who kisses the frog. Rated G. 97 m. At the Broadway, Fortuna and Mill Creek.

It’s the next best thing to seeing them live. Instead of driving several hours, save a few bucks and see Dave Matthews Band in 3D. Special guests include Ben Harper and Relentless7 and Gogol Bordello. Rated PG. 120m. At Fortuna.

Reviews

BROTHERS: Based on a plot summary of the 2004 Danish film Brodre (I did not see the film), David Benioff’s (Kite Runner; X-Men Origins: Wolverine) screenplay for Brothers hews closely to that of the Danish screenwriter Susanne Bier. The story outline is simple: Just as Tommy Cahill (Jake Gyllenhaal) is released from prison, his tightly wound brother Captain Sam Cahill (Tobey Maguire) is redeployed to Afghanistan.

Even though they are brothers, the two seem to come from a different gene pool. Sam is married to Grace (an excellent Natalie Portman) and has two young daughters. He has a strong sense of duty to family and country, while Tommy drinks too much and seems to get into constant trouble. No wonder that their father Hank (Sam Shepard in a mostly throwaway role) scorns Tommy and totally supports Sam.

While in Afghanistan, Sam goes missing after a helicopter crash and is presumed dead. As a result, Tommy steps up to the plate and starts to help Grace with the house and the children and gradually works his way into all their hearts. But Sam has been captured and is not dead and when he is rescued and returns home, the expected domestic drama plays out.

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