When I read the synopsis, I thought The Bros would be a remake of "Passed Away," a 90's funeral comedy starring Bob Hoskins and William Peterson. It isn't. The only similarities are the 2 brothers and their disconnect from their father. Dong Suk Ma and Dong Hwi Lee play 2 estranged brothers that head to the family estate after the death of their father. Both have hidden agendas that are the real reasons they have headed home in 20 years. Suk Bong Lee (Ma) is the eldest brother. He's a broke lecturer and adventurer who dreams of finding a national treasure. Lee Joo Bong (Lee) is the 2nd brother who works for a company wanting to run a highway through the family's property. The brother's relationships and shenanigans are what make the movie. The story isn't much different from other funeral comedies but they did leave out any debauchery, which was refreshing. There's also the weird woman. In most comedies at least one of the brothers would have fallen for her, but not this one. The Bros just think she's odd.
Although they look nothing alike and you'd be hard pressed to think them full blood brothers, Ma and Lee are wonderful in their roles. Their chemistry was really good. I think there's something about Ma's 'hard working guy just trying to get ahead' look that leads him to play characters with sincerity even when the character isn't very trustworthy. You trust in him and it causes an instant chemistry on camera. I'm not very familiar with Lee, but he did a good job as did Honey Lee (how many Lee's were in this movie?) as the weird woman. The supporting cast was great. Jung Jae Jin played a family elder. He was a scene stealing marvel. He was hilarious, especially at the end when he lost his composure and tried to fight one of the brothers. I know it's advertised as having a guest appearance by Ji Chang Wook. The emphasis is appearance. He's in the movie 5 minutes or less. Do not watch this movie because you're his fan and wish to see him. You will be disappointed.
The music was fitting. I liked the theme used for the 'weird woman.' It was sufficiently silly sounding.
The rewatch value for me is high as I tend to rewatch funeral comedies at least once.
Overall, I'd give The Bros an 8.5. It was funny and entertaining. It will not break any records and it won't movie the industry forward. It is what it is, an entertaining quirky comedy.
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This review may contain spoilers
Starting off the movie, for me, it went pretty good. With Ma Dong Seok and Lee Dong Hwi showing “comedy” which I think was very successful because it made me laugh pretty hard. I was hoping for Lee Ha Nee to show up, but she doesn’t show up that often unfortunately. And I came up with the conclusion that she was their mother (when younger) when they immediately realize that no one can see her except them.
When it reaches the part where Ma Dong Seok reads his father’s letter, it brought me to tears. Who would think that someone like Ma Dong Seok could bring so much feels in the movie, right?
And for the last parts, Lee Ha Nee and Ji Chang Wook, the perfect couple, I guess. I wish I could see more of Ji Chang Wook in the movie, tho. But, overall, the movie shows a great brotherly bond.
Definitely a 9 out of 10 ⭐️
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Unexpected heartwarming plot amidst comedy
The story is overall great. I had a lot of times that I bursted laughing although I felt like there are too many unnecessary details that could be omitted to point out the plot. I felt like there were too many side characters that makes the story a bit of messy for me however I still find this movie worth the watch and it warms my heart.I find the sound engineering very well made because there were scenes that couldn't have been funny but because of the sound effect, it made it very funny.
I recommend this movie if you're just trying to rest and doesn't have anything in mind to watch.
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Story and how it was delivered was pretty well done, although there were a few points left neglected. Plot twist was relatively unexpected and very much welcomed.
Good cinematography and good story telling. With just a little more effort this could've actually broken the charts, the female lead was very lovable.
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✒Beauty✂Brawn✂Buddhas✂Bypasses & Burials °7.1° °VG°
✂From the start, TB cuts right to it. We cut from an elderly man cutting his last character in a wood tablet, to his gravesite where they discuss how finding the man's estranged family might be a challenge (while the digger is cutting into the earth), to a college prof (Bro #1) explaining that the independence movement was actually started in order to find two golden Buddha☸statues worth billions of won ("That's🇰🇷patriotism!"), while he's cutting off the students' Q&A time, to a group of planners who are looking for a better, more economical way to build a highway after a collapse, while they cut apart their employee (Bro #2) because he has respect for family ⚖rights & 🎑rites - who cares about the family that owns the land that we need? Why haven't you already suggested taking the land if it saves us 💰billions💰? If you can't explain yourself, Lee Joo Bong, you're fired! Those are the legs of the memorial table that is this movie. Big bro, Lee Seok Bong (he's both older and bigger) bought expensive equipment for Buddha-treasure hunting that he can't use, right now, because war has broken out where he believes the treasure is. Little bro is not only in danger of being fired but also being investigated at work for potential crimes because he didn't propose attempting to take private land from a family in order to build the highway. They're both on the highway to trouble, and they also find themselves on the highway headed to their father's memorial.These bros come from a buddhist family steeped in their own history. They trace their roots to the Joseon Era and they revel in it. 🎎 Historic garb is mandatory for important occasions (I'll NEVER do that!, younger bro, Lee Joo Bong, insists… Who wants to put $ on that?). They adhere to old customs including mistreatment of women, particularly daughter I/Ls. Failing to actually follow the elevated teachings of Buddha, the family is horrible: The oldest, Lee Seok Bong, says his childhood dream was to become an orphan. He later rebels by going to church. Having grown up churchy while watching many kids rebel to become many things, including Buddhists, it makes me chuckle to see this happening from the opposite angle. When it comes to faith, nobody does it perfectly. That's the point. We have to work at these things. Work doesn't mean the external - sitting in a pew, or temple, or saying template prayers; the real work is internal and involves the heart. A handful of weird exceptions aside, there is no belief system on earth that will waive a magic wand and "fix" a person on the spot: You'll not find any group religious, political, or fraternal, where everyone has their act together. It's always a journey, and if we don't walk that journey with humility, we will never stay on the right path. These bros belong to a family that is excessively proud of their institutionalized pride. They don't do humility. That's why their behavior is loathsome.
Our bros got on the wrong path. On the way to the homestead they are talking (not necessarily looking ahead) when the car goes "THUD!" They hit something. They never saw it, but they hit /something/. A quick survey reveals a woman lying in the tall grass. She's breathing, but the ambulance won't get there for hours, they're told, so they decide to take her to the 🏥 themselves. When she wakes up they can see this is no normal person. Did she injure her head in the impact, or was she always looney? This chick gets weirder and weirder, and then she gets outrageous.
The cast is quite good. Ma Dong Seok is big bro, Lee Seok Bong. He has gravitas - hahaha - he's a big man with fantastic presence (he's actually American - represent, 🇺🇸!). Though on the side, his is the character that impressed me the most in Train To Busan-7.8. I have a predilection for teddy bears, so that might be why, but I think there's more to it that that. He has a likable air about him as well as good comedic timing, Lee Dong Hwi is Lee Joo Bong and plays the nervous dweeb well. Lee Ha Nee Aurora must play a somewhat crazy Amnesia victim. She's excellent.
The theme of this film is: Family - Thick and Thin + Legacy. The way we remember our parents may not be 💯% accurate. Most of us have no understanding of their struggles. A family's history is important and it's certainly interesting, but what's most important is the people. If family traditions are making the family miserable, then it might be time for a rehaul. There are many who don't know their family tree. That makes them no less significant and no less deserving of respect. Never forget, scientists and theologians agree: We came from one woman. We are all one family.
TB is 102 minutes and is rated 7.6 on AWiki, so it has been well received. (I find Korean movies are often a little better than their IMDB ratings indicate). Not every attempt works, but TB hits the 😅button plenty. It's an amusing film, and the ending is rather touching. It won't end up where you think it will half way thru, nor will it end up the way it looks at the 90% mark. It finishes stronger than it starts, which is impressive. It's most difficult to stick the landing, and they super-glue it better than mom's orchid pot. So ^before^ you grab any ^hoes^ and rummage for 🗿treasure, pay respects to The ^Bros^ for some light clean fun done right.
〰🖍 IMHO
📣7.5 📝7 🎭7.5 💓5🦋4 🌞6.5 🎨6.8⚡4.5 🎵/🔊6 😅5 😭3 😱3 😯3 🤔4 💤0 🔚8.8
Age + R rated language; no F💣s
Re-📺? If someone put it on I wouldn't complain.
In order of ~lite & trite~ to ~heavy & serious~, you may also like:
Mad For Each Other ~ silly fun
My Secret Romance 7 (too many flashbacks just ff thru them),
Start-up 7.5,
Her Private Life 8,
A Witch's love 7.8,
love to hate you 8.9
Touch your heart 8.2,
Romance is a bonus book 7.9,
Boys Over Flowers 8,
Crash Landing On You 9.1,
Oh My Ghost 10,
It's okay not to be okay 9,
Love Struck in the city 7.3,
Hospital Playlist 9,
My Mister 9,
More than friends 8,
I'll see you when the weather is fine 9,
Something in the Rain 9
If you want some fun in old Joseon, check out My Only Love Song(9), Mr. Queen(8.5), and My Sassy Girl(8.5).
Originally 〰️🖊 9/2023
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