Brothers (2017)

Directed by: Bram Schouw | 101 minutes | adventure, drama | Actors: Jonas Smulders, Niels Gomperts, Christa Théret, Dragan Bakema, Patrick Descamps, Grégory Gatignol, Tim Linde, Hugo Maerten, Rufus, Tim Schouten, Hanna van Vliet

Jonas Smulders auditioned for the drama school in Amsterdam and Maastricht, but was rejected by both in the last round. Nevertheless, the talented Amsterdammer is working hard. For example, at the age of only 21, he already won a Golden Calf for best actor in a television drama for the One Night Stand film ‘No kings in our blood’ (2015), in which he plays a boy who, together with his sister, lives in various youth institutions. ends up there and has to survive. Smulders was – and is in many of his films – praised for his natural performance and the way in which he manages to give depth to his characters. When he appears in the picture, he draws attention to himself without any effort. Even if he doesn’t do or say anything special. In ‘Broers’ (2017), the feature film debut by director Bram Schouw, Smulders is Lukas, the timid younger brother of the impulsive Alexander, played by Niels Gomperts. Lukas looks up to his brother, who attracts all the attention. Alexander pushes the boundaries to feel that he is alive. Lukas is his opposite in everything, but adores his brother. Yes, even if he is sometimes a self-centered bastard who never stops to think that his reckless unrestrained behavior could endanger or hurt others.

We get to know the brothers at a crucial moment. Alexander has decided to leave with the northern sun and walks in the late hours along the hard shoulder along the A10, looking for a lift. Luke runs after him; on the one hand he feels anger and confusion, on the other he is attracted like a magnet to leave for the south with Alexander in that truck. We’ll see later if he gets in. Because ‘Brothers’ does not necessarily follow a chronological order. First, Schouw and screenwriter Marcel Rooijaards sketch the characters of both boys. Where Alexander literally stands on the edge of the roof of an apartment building, Lukas only dares to step over the ledge after long insistence. He dutifully waits for days for his brother, with whom the new Physics student is staying in the student flat, but Alexander likes to put the flowers outside. Lukas looks at him with admiration. Where Alexander goes, doors open that usually remain closed to Luke. And so he hobbles like a shadow behind his big brother. So even if he decides to leave everything in the Netherlands behind him and hitchhike to the south. They end up in a French hamlet, where a village festival is going on. Lukas meets a nice girl (Christa Theret), with whom he thinks he has a click. But as soon as she gives him the chance to kiss her, he doesn’t dare. A day later, Alexander seizes his chance. Lukas is so incensed by his brother’s betrayal that he angrily returns to the Netherlands. He picks up his studies again, tries to shake himself free of the influence of his brother. He seems to be doing well, until one day he receives a disturbing phone call…

Schouw and Rooijaards made the short film ‘Sevilla’ in 2012, which has great parallels with ‘Broers’. In that film too, two brothers, a girl, a long journey and fate are central. The theme of brotherhood – and the accompanying sub-themes of rivalry, identity and friendship – seems to fascinate the filmmakers. The brothers in ‘Brothers’ are fascinating characters. The fatalistic Alexander, who often behaves like a bastard, lives so intensely that he forgets that he is dealing with others, people who care about him. Directly opposite is Lukas, who seems to derive his identity purely from the fact that he is ‘the brother of’ and is content with that nine times out of ten. Gomperts and Smulders are completely absorbed in their roles and are perfectly cast. Their interplay and interaction is by far the most fascinating thing about this film. Once disaster strikes and the brothers are driven apart, an intense period of grief begins that takes the sting and tempo out of the story. Tranquil scenes in an otherwise beautiful winter landscape; we understand what Schouw wants to say, but he takes more time than necessary. Fortunately, there is Smulders, who manages to captivate us without any effort, even when the story collapses a bit. ‘Brothers’ is a fascinating character study about brotherhood, which, thanks to excellent acting by both Gomperts and Smulders, also stands up flawlessly at less powerful moments.