Four Brothers (2005)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

John Singleton

Writers (WGA):

David Elliot (written by) &
Paul Lovett (written by)

Release Date:

12 August 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

Angel Mercer wants to know who killed his mother.

Plot:

Four brothers look to avenge their mother's death.

Plot Keywords:

Robbery | Funeral | Murder | Bank | Mob Hit

Awards:

2 wins & 7 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Sun. July 12	8:00 PM	TNT
Sun. July 12	10:00 PM	TNT

Cast

Mark Wahlberg	...	Bobby Mercer
Tyrese Gibson	...	Angel Mercer
André Benjamin	...	Jeremiah Mercer
Garrett Hedlund	...	Jack Mercer
Terrence Howard	...	Lt. Green
Josh Charles	...	Detective Fowler
Sofía Vergara	...	Sofi
Fionnula Flanagan	...	Evelyn Mercer
Chiwetel Ejiofor	...	Victor Sweet
Taraji P. Henson	...	Camille Mercer
Barry Shabaka Henley	...	Councilman Douglas
Jernard Burks	...	Evan
Kenneth Welsh	...	Robert Bradford
Tony Nappo	...	Charlie
Shawn Singleton	...	Victor Hoodlum

Also Known As:

Untitled Mark Wahlberg Project (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong violence, pervasive language and some sexual content.

Runtime:

109 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

UK:15 | Germany:16 | Finland:K-15 | Australia:M | Canada:18A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Nova Scotia) | Ireland:15A | Netherlands:12 | Norway:15 | Brazil:16 | Argentina:13 | Sweden:15 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | Taiwan:R-12 | Belgium:KT | Iceland:16 | Malaysia:18SG | USA:R (certificate #41939) | Canada:14A (Ontario) | Portugal:M/16 | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | New Zealand:M | France:-12 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Singapore:NC-16

Filming Locations:

Canada

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

The word "fuck" is used 62 times throughout the movie.

Goofs:

Factual errors: On the Detroit Police truck it says, "SWAT". In reality, the Detroit Police don't have a SWAT team, but a SRT team.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Evelyn Mercer: Ok, Darnell, so the candy just happened to jump into your pocket, huh? Well I don't think so. Samir's going to call the police right now. Samir, the police!
Darnell: Please don't call the police, man, please!
Evelyn Mercer: That's what happens when you shoplift. There's consequences.
Darnell: But it's just some damn candy! I don't wanna go to jail!
Evelyn Mercer: Well you can probably get away with stealing sometimes, Darnell, but sooner or later you're gonna get caught. Is that the way you want to lead your life?
Darnell: No.
Evelyn Mercer: I happen to believe you're worth more. But you gotta believe it, Darnell.
[...]

Movie Connections:

Remake of The Sons of Katie Elder (1965)

Soundtrack:

GOT THAT FIRE

This movie will get your attention and hold it

One good thing Steven Spielberg has done for 21th century movies is to show the importance of starting things off with a bang rather than a whimper, something he learned from the old grade B films of the 30's, 40's, and 50's. So when director John Singleton begins "Four Brothers" he doesn't dwell on background material about how mom came to be the shining star for her boys. Singleton goes right for the jugular by showing mom's demise--I say showing, the viewer doesn't actually see the killing in the beginning. Singleton builds up the relationship between mom and the brothers step by step, letting a Detroit policeman, Lt. Green (Terrence Howard), introduce the four brothers as they show up for the funeral and become reacquainted. Not to give away the story, one heavy leads to another until the whole city of Detroit becomes a personification of corruption and evil. I loved the Motown music played throughout the film which was very apropos for the setting.

Even though the acting was first-rate throughout, I especially liked the performances given by Josh Charles as Detective Fowler and by Garrett Hedlund as Jack Mercer. I know Josh Charles has appeared in movies I have seen but I don't remember his acting standing out as it does in this film. Also Chiwetel Ejiofor was just right as the slimy egomaniac Victor Sweet--and what a name for a character this egregious.

The action is first rate and there is plenty of it from start to finish. Hold on to your seats for the scary gun battle between mom's boys hold up in her old house and Sweet's hired thugs. You won't be able to get out of your seat during this shoot-out.

I highly recommend this movie for fans of the genre. Others should enjoy it too.