Brothers-just because we are done with the war, doesn't mean the war is done with us

I had some friends recommend this one to me.  It is one I always meant to see, but just got around to it finally, so many films, so little time.  Brothers, about the experience of war on one family, was based on a Danish film.  For those who know that, it points out the Danes also sent soldiers to Afghanistan and have their own war experiences and trauma from that conflict.  I probably need to seek that film out. I saw many non-American soldiers in my time "over there" and I'm very curious about that conflict from their perspective.

This version of the film has Tobey Maguire as Marine Captain Sam Cahill.  He's about to head over to da 'Stan for his fourth tour of duty.  He is husband to Grace (Natalie Portman) and brother to Tommy (Jake Gyllenhall), who is a bit of a layabout, avoiding steady employment, but not jail.  So he suffers under his own inferiority complex as well as the disapproval of their Vietnam War Marine father.   When Sam's unit is attacked shortly after they arrive and he vanishes, presumed dead, a suffering Grace and the daughters welcome Tommy, who bonds with his brother's family during their time of crisis.  He helps around the house with handyman tasks and assists in caring for the girls.  There is even temptation, as a lonely Grace and a slightly drunk Tommy almost give into temptation.  But they both pull back before things get too out of control.

Then comes one day when they find out Sam did not die in Afghanistan.  He is coming home.  But when he arrives, it is clear that something is weighing on his mind.  His family can tell, his fellow Marines can tell.  He experienced something horrible over there and the psychic wound bleeds continuously.  Tommy, the ne're do well, will be instrumental in helping to bring back his brother from Afghanistan, in mind and spirit as well as body.

And there it is.  War is hell.  For some veterans, they don't get to leave.  Not without help.  This film picked its actors very, very well, depicting these characters in this situation that some families are experiencing for real after a decade of two wars.  The devastation doesn't take place only on foreign soil.  Special kudos go to Mr. Maguire and his devastating depiction of a brave soldier coping with wounds too big for one man to bear, yet having no idea how to heal.

This film is worthwhile.  Check it out.