Film Review: Four Brothers (2005)
When it comes to remaking films, it is often better to start with a less-than-stellar original, as there is more room for improvement. This was the approach taken by John Singleton in his penultimate feature film, the 2005 action drama Four Brothers.
The film is a loose adaptation of The Sons of Katie Elder, a 1965 western starring John Wayne. The plot is transported from the Wild West to modern-day Detroit. The film opens on a snowy evening, where the kind-hearted white lady, Evelyn Mercer (played by Fionulla Flanagan), is brutally gunned down by two hooded black assailants in convenience store. Mercer, a respected member of the community, is mourned at her funeral by many, including her four adopted sons: Bobby (played by Mark Wahlberg), a tempestuous former hockey player; Angel (played by Tyerese Gibson), a former US Marine; Jeremiah (played by Adam Benjamin), a construction worker; and Jack (played by Garrett Hedlund), an aspiring rock musician. Though vastly different in their personalities and life paths, the brothers are united in their grief and their determination to uncover the truth behind their mother's murder, especially when it becomes apparent that the crime was planned and there is cover-up involved.
Despite the contemporary setting, Singleton's film is heavily influenced by the past, particularly 1970s Hollywood. This is reflected in the "retro" atmosphere, which is not only characterized by the use of "blaxploitation" tropes and vigilante themes but also by the dark cinematography and the use of 1970s soul classics as the soundtrack. Singleton directs the film in a competent and dynamic way, not allowing the plot to suffer from too much exposition and showing a lot of skill in elaborate action scenes.
While the action sequences are executed with impressive dynamism, Singleton's penchant for graphic violence has drawn criticism from some reviewers. The director's unapologetic celebration of the brothers' brutal campaign to exact justice has been a point of contention, with some arguing that the film's pro-vigilantism stance undermines its positive messages about the importance of family and the way crime and corruption transcend racial and ethnic boundaries.
Despite the controversy, Four Brothers is nevertheless a much better film than The Sons of Katie Elder, thanks in large part to the strong cast, despite not having the star of John Wayne’s calibre. Mark Wahlberg, Tyrese Gibson, Adam Benjamin, and Garrett Hedlund play their roles well, but they are overshadowed by the supporting cast, which includes veteran Irish actress Fionulla Flanagan as the protagonists' adoptive mother, Terrance Howard as their childhood friend and police detective, and Chiwetel Ejiofor as the main villain. Sofia Vergara, on the other hand, succumbs to ethnic and sexist stereotypes in her role as Angel's annoying Latina girlfriend.
Some of the film's problems become more apparent in the last third and culminate with an unusual but somewhat underwhelming plot resolution. Nevertheless, Four Brothers is a very good film that shows how Hollywood can, with some luck and talent, improve on its legacy.
RATING: 7/10 (+++)
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