The Brothers Bloom

Is the truth the most valuable thing in a story, or is it what happens after it is told more important? Bloom played by Adrien Brody says, “The greatest con is the one where everyone gets what they want.” But isn’t a con merely a story that is used to manipulate people out of their money (or some other prized possession)? A story that webbed with lies that usually all the parties don’t get what they want, not really.
The Brothers Bloom tells the story of Bloom (Adrien Brody) and Stephen (Mark Ruffalo), two con men who want two totally different things. Bloom, who early in life found that being a con man is a pretty lonely life –despite gaining a rock star status in the underworld- wants nothing more than a girl whom he can love. All Stephen wants is to protect his brother, but when Bloom decides to shut his brother away because the life that they live is actually quite lonely.
So, our story begins with our two morally dubious protagonists and their silent Asian sidekick Bang Bang (Rinko Kikuchi), tracking their mark, Penelope (played by Rachel Weisz). Penelope, had a fairly lonely childhood, and has many skills, such as being able to play the accordion, the harp, and the guitar. She is able to juggle chainsaws and is a creative photographer, but she is still very rich and lonely. The Brothers are able to give her adventure and meaning.
All the characters are played quite well, none of them to unbelievable, or too stylistic. They all have flaws, wants, needs that money can’t buy- companionships mostly- but all in different levels and for different reaons. While there were no sub-par performances, Rachael Weisz does a great job playing the lonely, but optimist Penelope.
Near the end we see what each person really wants, and the price that they must pay to get it, is it worth it? It depends on what matters more to each character, living in a particularly elaborate fantasy land, or living in a world where they have what they want, but are vulnerable.
While there is nothing really wrong with the story, or the acting, or the directing, I felt like I have seen this movie before and unfortunately couldn’t share the same level of enthusiasm as the rest of the group that I went with to see it, but despite my own personal taste, I would say this is a movie worth watching.

Two and ¾ stars.

Pros. Everything.
Cons. Perhaps a bit to redundant of a story.