Director: Rian Johnson
Stars: Rachel Weisz, Adrien Brody, Mark Ruffalo
Plot: Two con men known as the Brothers Bloom (Brody and Ruffalo) have swindled the rich for many years. Now they decide to take on one last job involving a spoilt heiress (Weisz) and a whole lot of jet-setting…
Caper films are particularly difficult to pull off – The Brothers Bloom proves why. While the original Italian Job and Ocean’s Eleven managed to balance the excitement of the crime with the comedy, Bloom fails on both counts. Not just bordering on silliness, this overly quirky ‘comedy’ proves that even with a starry cast (and the gorgeous Rachel Weisz), genuine laughs are not guaranteed.
Two confidence trickster brothers, Bloom (Brody) and Stephen (Ruffalo) start their business as children, conning other kids into scams for money. A number of years later, Bloom leaves his brother’s side for Montenegro after realising he has little control over his life. Stephen tracks him down and convinces to join him in one last con involving a lonely, spoilt heiress who longs for excitement.
There are a few amusing moments generally involving visual gags, but the cons themselves just seem cobbled together and not thought out properly. On the plus side, Ruffalo seems comfortable enough playing a familiar character, but as good an actress Weisz is, she would be better off leaving slapstick comedy well alone.
Rating: 
