What is the plot - in one sentence? In 'The Old West,' two assassin brothers are charged with killing a scientist who may or may not have the secret to getting a fortune in gold.
I don't have time, just spoil it for me? Their boss is known as the Commodore; another man sent to find the scientist has fallen for his philosophy, and these two are joined by the brothers to find gold. After a mishap with the chemistry, the other two die, and the more unreliable brother with only one arm, they head to kill the Commodore. Finding him dead, they head to their mother's house where she bathes them.
What is the meaning of the title? The Sisters Brothers, Eli and Charlie, are the stars of the show.
Here they are, and there's attribution at the end in case wikipedia's lawyers come after me. Also 'Brothers By Blood. Sisters By Name' makes it seem like it'll be a comedy, not a harrowing tale where a horse loses an eye from a bear attack. [source]
Anything that's not aged well? Does a woman get slapped around? Na, too recent for that, and though the movie features almost no women at all, the one they do talk to seems to help them. Good news. Actually, I just thought of something: a British-Pakistani bloke is playing a German fellow in America, and I think that someone, somewhere will find a problem with that.
Any thoughts? John C. Reilly and Joaquin Phoenix are the two brothers - the more reliable one, and the more talented killer, respectively. The scientist is a Riz Ahmed, and the other guy working for the Commodor was Jake Gyllenhall. The scientist is meant to be very charismatic, and talks about his desire to start a commune, and has a certain pull to him. The first person pulled to him is Jake Gyllenhall, which gives the whole thing a much more homo-erotic aspect than it would with another actor. Nothing wrong with being gay, but if that guys straight, I'm sober.
The brothers seem to be famous, they are known everywhere they go, and have a hinted at charisma and draw of their own. Their traumatic past is hinted at too, one of them tells the scientist that the other one killed their abusive father, and they took a job as it allowed the less reliable one to earn a living while being drunk all the time. Joaquin Phoenix, playing the drunker brother, spends a lot of time crying in the movie, and the other brother spends a lot of time looking out for him.
The whole thing does get a little episodic: they escape from a brothel where everyone wants them dead, have run-ins with assassins, deal with snake bites and bear attacks, but nonetheless it's an enjoyable movie.
Would you recommend this? I haven't read the book it's based on, but I can see that being good. This was fine, I enjoyed it, but I think that the extra characterisation that a book would potentially make it a bit more enjoyable.
Final thoughts? The Commodore is only seen in passing at a few stages until you see him in
his coffin, but it was nice that it was Rutger Hauer, who has now gone to his own coffin, sadly.
I'm pretty sure though, that the science of the movie doesn't hold up - they pour a volatile liquid into the water, which makes gold gleam up to be (quickly) picked up - it doesn't seem to be scientifically sound and causes horrific burns to those who handle it too much. Just as well it's only a movie.
OK, there we go, 46 down - the other 45 can be found here, and ones I write after it will appear there too. What a great idea.
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