"Nothin' like a little brotherly love..."
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Joaquin Phoenix and Mark Wahlberg play brothers who have chosen vastly different career paths. Marky Mark is the erstwhile lawman, steadfastly following in their father's footsteps, while Phoenix is the flashy and freewheeling nightclub purveyor, seriously testing the boundaries.
Robert Duvall plays the father, while the smoldering Eva Mendes "services" Phoenix's every whim... ;)
When drug trade becomes too pervasive a pull in the club to be denied, the brothers' paths cross and chaos ensues.
In a brutal existential struggle, the brothers learn the importance of family and the high costs paid for casual indifference.
Almost every scene is delivered with a visceral angst from Phoenix. In fact, his performance leaves you almost tired. In some cases, it seems he's dramatically over-reaching, while in other moments, he's reaching in and grabbing at your very soul with his portrayal.
The end result of the thing is that Wahlberg, who certainly lives up to expectation here, sometimes seems outplayed. Duvall, brilliant in nearly everything kind of falls in the middle. Only Mendes seems to reach the same level, but her consistency keeps the pair grounded.
I think the script played out well, if somewhat predictably, although there were a few things thrown in that I felt didn't need to be. Cards that didn't need to be dealt, if you will. You'll see what I mean when you view the pic.
In the end, we're left feeling somewhat dissatisfied and disgruntled, but unable to deny that this was a great ride.
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