The Brothers McMullen (1995)

Simply A Masterpiece

It's not great by any means, but it's a pretty good movie that didn't leave me filled with regret for investing time in it.

A film with more than the usual spoiler issues. Talking about it in any detail feels akin to handing you a gift-wrapped present and saying, "I hope you like it -- It's a thriller about a diabolical secret experiment."

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

I have no idea why this movie was ever made. It's truly horrible. I mean what was the point? Lapsed Catholics are troubled people? None of the male characters is the least bit interesting or sympathetic. They are all total zeros. Given that the three brothers are absolute jerks, the contrived, blissful happy ending which is completely predictable is not in the least bit warranted in any of the three couples lives. The profanity is on a par with the number of beers consumed. I think I should have had a few before sitting down to this. The wife of the eldest brother who is married is about the only interesting character in the movie. She should apply for sainthood for sticking with a cheating husband. As far as I am concerned this is just more Catholic bashing from that Hollywood can not get enough of. Don't spend a minute watching this dreadful film.

HAVING heard so much about this Film from our 2 Daughters (Jenn & Michelle Ryan), we never did make the trip to the Cineplex or to Classic Video Rental to actually see it for ourselves. Time went by and with the hum-drum of day to day work and survival; it went back onto the back-burners of memory; only to occasionally be put ever so briefly into the spotlight; via its being listed in the Weekly Movies on TV listings.FINALLY last evening, Fox Movie Channel had it on. It was Saturday, February 21st, In the Year of Our Lord 2009. Quite appropriately, this was Oscar Night Eve. We would not only have seen a great, low budget film; but also it provided an excellent way of contrasting a brilliant piece of Cinematic Art, as opposed to some of the out and out schlock that passes for a Movie nowadays.TODAY'S sacrificial lamb and Ryan Film Hall of Fame Inductee, THE BROTHERS McMULLEN (Brothers McMullen Productions/Marlboro Road Gang Productions/Videpgraphy Productions/Fox Searchlight Pictures, 1995) is a great example of a precursor of great things to come. Though the film has specificity of both setting and ethnicity of the principals; and yet, the story, the incidents and the final outcome of the story are all truly universally applicable to any and all segments of this or any other society.BEING a practicing Catholic of at least half Irish Descent (the other 50% being of the Teutonic Persuasion), we were able to truly identify with the characters, setting and situations in the movie. Our background was in Blue Collar (Proletariat to you Left Wingers), Parochial (Catholic) Schools and Democratic Political affiliations*. As a 14 year Irish High Schooler, old former Altar Boy,** it was a joyous day when JFK got the Democratic nod and nomination in 1960; with ever even more ecstatic days ahead when he and running mate, LBJ, won the election that November.ALL of the previous exposition was necessary to lay the groundwork for the proof; being that we understand everything here. So, we get it! Enough said already! EXPERTLY mixing all of the problems that we all face as we are growing deeper into adulthood and leaving the days adolescence far behind us, the Writer-Director-Co-Producer-Lead Actor, Edward Burns, manages to touch all of the bases in the slightly over 1 ½ Hours Running Time (98 minutes, to be exact). Adding fuel to the fire is the lack of any real family support; with the McMullen Clan being ever so dysfunctional. It is revealed that following the death of their abusive, alcoholic Father that their Mother split, going back to Ireland. It appears, as she confided to her Sons that there was someone she truly loved there. She had married Old Man McMullen because he had knocked her up! (Hell, where were these Colleens when I needed them!)SERIOUSLY though folks, Mr. Burns manages to blend all aspects of life with generous helpings of love, self-preservation, sex, acceptance and security being related in serious, humorous and even in pathetic moods. There seems to have been a natural instinct driving Mr. Edward Burns in his piecing together this jigsaw puzzle.AND to think, Mr. Burns reportedly brought it all together for a measly $17,000.00; which wouldn't pay a catering bill on a weeks worth of shooting on a major film. This BROTHERS McMULLEN project has proved his worth as Actor, Writer, Producer and Director.MOST importantly, this film proved young Burns' talents in possibly the most important area; that being 'the Bottom Line' A$ we all know, thi$ i$ probably the mo$t important a$pect of making the Movie$ a$ it concern$ all of the $uit$ back at the Big $tudio$ and Di$tributor$!NOTE: * In viewing things in a generalized manner, some have sized me up as: 1. Irish, 2. Catholic, 3. Democrat, with a 4. City Job (Chicago Cop for 35 years). Although I am: only half Irish (the other half of the pedigree being German), a Conservative and a card-carrying Republican. Ma & Pa, the Late Clement and Bertha Ryan, both loyal New Deal Democrats, are surely resting quite uneasily with what their Democratic Party has become and what these socialists are trying to do with our Republic.NOTE: ** Yeah, I was an Altar Boy, at St. Theodore Parish in Chicago, circa 1957-59. And just to set the record straight, honest, Fr. Chambers, I never drank any Altar Wine.POODLE SCHNITZ!!

First time i saw this 10 years ago, i thought it was pretty good. Its been on cable more lately and found myself watching it a couple more times,and its grown on me more. Its funny at times. Also very serious at others. As sorta a non practicing Irish Catholic myself, It brought home allot of situations i can relate to. Its also sorta a NY type comedy, with the language and City backgrounds. Covers allot of relationship topics. I sorta call this a chick flick for guys. None of that stupid comedy/phony romance type movie you often see nowadays. But more real life situation. Little things, like the fight Burns has with his brother over drinking a beer in the morning. Now thats the way it is in real life.

If there is one independent film that has been praised too much, and for too long, it is this film. This is the story of three brothers as they deal with life and love. Director/Actor Edward Burns really tries hard to bring out a film with some strong family values, but fails miserably. Here is the really funny part. Instead of just letting a dead horse remain in the barn, Burns counters with producing and directing the SAME movie, except this time it is called She's the One. How did this happen?I know this is a short review, but I didn't want to bother writing down everything I disliked about this film, so I just kept it short and sweet. Overall, I say skip this film. It was pointless and drab and proved that if at first you don't succeed; release another film with a different title with basically the same plot.BLAH!Grade: * out of *****