In 2007, for no apparent reason, brothers across America stopped hitting, insulting and borrowing from each other without asking long enough to make movies together in record numbers. By our count, seven pairs of male siblings set aside their rivalries for the sake of cinema. The results of this odd convergence may well be historic: the latest Coen brother collaboration seems likely to win the Academy Award for best picture for “No Country for Old Men.” But even if the Farrellys don’t get recognized by their peers for the monstrosity that was “The Heartbreak Kid,” they deserve credit for continuing to get along despite the obvious perils of sharing credit with the same person you once shared a bathroom.
And so, without any Freudian subtext or film-school dissertations to distill a coherent theme among these projects, herewith our handy, clip-‘n’-save guide to all Hollywood movies directed, starred in or otherwise collaborated on by brothers in 2007, compiled and ably annotated by critic ERIC KOHN. If you have any idea what it all means, call us. Otherwise we plan to attribute the trend to good parenting.
SIBLINGS: Andrew & Luke Wilson
THE PRODUCT: The Wendell Baker Story
FAMILY TIES: How many Wilsons are there, anyway? These Wilsons show promise behind the camera (while third brother Owen stays in front, playing Neil King), loading their debut with clever 1970s nostalgia.
SIBLINGS: Joel & Ethan Coen
THE PRODUCT: No Country For Old Men
FAMILY TIES: They seem to share some mental/physical bond that transcends typical sibling bonds—or perhaps it’s just a cultivated myth that plays out so well for fans and critics. Whatever it is, the Coens yet again justify their longtime collaboration with this riveting adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s novel.
SIBLINGS: Ridley & Tony Scott
THE PRODUCT: American Gangster, The Taking of Pelham 123
FAMILY TIES: Ridley investigates 1970s Harlem heroin dealing with Denzel Washington as a mob boss, while brother Tony plots to remake the classic 1970s thriller with Washington as a hostage negotiator. The jury is still out on which one has the better beard.
SIBLINGS: The Brothers Strause
THE PRODUCT: Alien Versus Predator Redux
FAMILY TIES: Sibling special effects gurus (Titanic) step behind the camera for the violent monster brawl sequel. The Brothers Pretentious may want to rethink their credit.
SIBLINGS: Ben & Casey Affleck
THE PRODUCT: Gone Baby Gone
FAMILY TIES: Ben directs brother Casey as youthful private eye Patrick Kenzie in this gritty adaptation of Dennis Lehane’s crime novel. Maybe it’s time for Ben to stay behind the camera and leave the acting to his little brother.
SIBLINGS: Peter & Bobby Farrelly
THE PRODUCT: The Heartbreak Kid
FAMILY TIES: These brothers used to have a knack for turning out quirky, juvenile comedies that tapped into the youth culture without offending mainstream audiences. The Farrellys still enjoy working together, but the rest of us have gotten a little tired of all the farting.
SIBLINGS: Michael & Mark Polish
THE PRODUCT: The Astronaut Farmer
FAMILY TIES: The Polish twins keep up the collaboration they started with Twin Falls Idaho. Unfortunately, they’re beginning to resemble a Polish joke.
SIBLINGS: The Wachowski Brothers
THE PRODUCT: The Invasion
FAMILY TIES: The Matrix directors were brought in to direct new action scenes for this Body Snatchers remake when the studio felt Oliver Hirschbiegel’s cut wasn’t exciting enough. Their brother mojo wasn’t enough to make Nicole Kidman believable in this suspenseless role. That may have to do with rumors of Larry’s sex-change operation, making them a far less appealing brother-sister team.
And so, without any Freudian subtext or film-school dissertations to distill a coherent theme among these projects, herewith our handy, clip-‘n’-save guide to all Hollywood movies directed, starred in or otherwise collaborated on by brothers in 2007, compiled and ably annotated by critic ERIC KOHN. If you have any idea what it all means, call us. Otherwise we plan to attribute the trend to good parenting.
SIBLINGS: Andrew & Luke Wilson
THE PRODUCT: The Wendell Baker Story
FAMILY TIES: How many Wilsons are there, anyway? These Wilsons show promise behind the camera (while third brother Owen stays in front, playing Neil King), loading their debut with clever 1970s nostalgia.
SIBLINGS: Joel & Ethan Coen
THE PRODUCT: No Country For Old Men
FAMILY TIES: They seem to share some mental/physical bond that transcends typical sibling bonds—or perhaps it’s just a cultivated myth that plays out so well for fans and critics. Whatever it is, the Coens yet again justify their longtime collaboration with this riveting adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s novel.
SIBLINGS: Ridley & Tony Scott
THE PRODUCT: American Gangster, The Taking of Pelham 123
FAMILY TIES: Ridley investigates 1970s Harlem heroin dealing with Denzel Washington as a mob boss, while brother Tony plots to remake the classic 1970s thriller with Washington as a hostage negotiator. The jury is still out on which one has the better beard.
SIBLINGS: The Brothers Strause
THE PRODUCT: Alien Versus Predator Redux
FAMILY TIES: Sibling special effects gurus (Titanic) step behind the camera for the violent monster brawl sequel. The Brothers Pretentious may want to rethink their credit.
SIBLINGS: Ben & Casey Affleck
THE PRODUCT: Gone Baby Gone
FAMILY TIES: Ben directs brother Casey as youthful private eye Patrick Kenzie in this gritty adaptation of Dennis Lehane’s crime novel. Maybe it’s time for Ben to stay behind the camera and leave the acting to his little brother.
SIBLINGS: Peter & Bobby Farrelly
THE PRODUCT: The Heartbreak Kid
FAMILY TIES: These brothers used to have a knack for turning out quirky, juvenile comedies that tapped into the youth culture without offending mainstream audiences. The Farrellys still enjoy working together, but the rest of us have gotten a little tired of all the farting.
SIBLINGS: Michael & Mark Polish
THE PRODUCT: The Astronaut Farmer
FAMILY TIES: The Polish twins keep up the collaboration they started with Twin Falls Idaho. Unfortunately, they’re beginning to resemble a Polish joke.
SIBLINGS: The Wachowski Brothers
THE PRODUCT: The Invasion
FAMILY TIES: The Matrix directors were brought in to direct new action scenes for this Body Snatchers remake when the studio felt Oliver Hirschbiegel’s cut wasn’t exciting enough. Their brother mojo wasn’t enough to make Nicole Kidman believable in this suspenseless role. That may have to do with rumors of Larry’s sex-change operation, making them a far less appealing brother-sister team.
