Wednesday, December 28, 2022

"Half Brothers" Early Review

 


Juggling vastly different tones isn't always an easy thing to do in a movie. But Half Brothers nails it. Simultaneously a road trip comedy and a drama about the plight of Mexican immigrants, Half is the story of brothers from different mothers who don't find out about each other until their father is on his deathbed. While we watch the two siblings try their hardest to put up with each other on a ridiculous scavenger hunt, we also get to see their dad's journey from his native Mexico through a soul-testing ordeal in the States. Think: The Godfather II with comedy.

Older, ambitious brother, Renato, viewed his father, Flavio, as his best friend until the latter abandoned him for a new life across the border. Entitled and bearded slacker/misfit, Asher, who spent his entire existence with Flavio, was blissfully unaware of his father's past. But after a decidedly negative first impression, their pops' death forces the pair to spend a few days driving across the country together with a pet. There are run-ins with rednecks, mishaps at the border and Renato, who has to get home to his woman for their impending wedding, is insecure about his fathering skills (he has a soon-to-be stepson back home). If any of this reminds you of Due Date, you're not alone. 

However, Flavio's trek decades ago was anything but comical. Despite his engineering know-how he could only get a job as a laborer; he was beaten up and robbed; and ultimately, thrown into a detention camp. Like Flavio, there's much more to Half Brothers than meets the eye and the wildly disparate tones make for a perfect dramedy blend. Check out Half Brothers in theaters today.



Originally Posted 12/4/20

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