HALF BROTHERS – Rated PG-13 – 1 hr. 36 mins.
DIRECTED BY: Luke Greenfield
WRITTEN BY: Ali LeRoi, Eduardo Cisneros, Jason Shuman
As we enter into life of Aviation Executive Renato Murguia (Luis Gerardo Mendez), he still hasn’t gotten over the fact that his Engineer Father Flavio (Juan Pablo Espinosa), who he absolutely adored, set off for America to find work many moons ago, and has never returned…
But when Renato is informed that his Father is gravely ill in the States, he decides to venture North to Chicago, before it’s too late. But as he tries to come to terms with the longing, he’s had for his Fathers return for over 25 years, nothing has prepared him to find out that he has a half-brother named Asher (Connor Del Rio), who seems to be rather bat shit crazy, to say the least…
Now, as these two young men try to prepare for their Father’s death, he shares his last dying wish, which is for them to embark on a road trip, fueled by their Fathers riddles and clues, so that they can finally understand their Father’s choices in this life…
Anxious to get back to Mexico in time for his wedding, Renato is not enjoying the craziness that surrounds his half-brother Asher, at every turn. And as these two new companions try desperately to find some sort of common ground, besides the fact that they share their Father’s DNA. Now, it seems that what life has in store for them for the next couple days anyway, just might change their philosophies on almost everything they thought they knew about this life, and about their Father as well…
I give HALF BROTHERS a rating of 3 out of 5 Stars! Quirky one minute, and very apropos the next, HALF BROTHERS takes you into the dysfunctional existences of two brothers, who never knew the other existed. But, as this total “Dude flick” unfolds, you will find yourself totally enjoying the hilariousness deeply seeded throughout this film, as you find yourself becoming emotional invested in these characters, whether it’s the remorse you feel for Renato, being forced to exist without his adoring Father by his side in Mexico, or the attachment and empathy you feel for the really funny, yet exceptionally peculiar little brother Asher, who can’t seem to find anyone who wants to accept him, for exactly who he is. Totally entertaining from beginning to end, HALF BROTHERS with bring a smile to your face, and make you shed a tear or two as well before its through, as it’s heart-wrenching one minute, and heart-warming the next storyline comes shining through. And even if the storyline doesn’t seem to draw you in, the acting this time around absolutely should, as it’s one of the few films this year that is perfectly cast throughout as it showcases the acting prowess that both Mendez and Del Rio bring to the screen. Espinosa is exceptional throughout as well, playing the Father desperate to return to his son in Mexico, even though he chooses to stay put in the US, to help save his newborn son instead. Comedy driven, but with touching moments throughout too, HALF BROTHERS comes through as one of those rare films that finds a way to entertain its viewers with a combination of slapstick humor, and heartfelt empathy as it unfolds too. Even the “movie snob” at our house, my husband Jeff, thoroughly enjoyed this film, and thought it was really entertaining, and that’s really saying something, since he hardly ever likes anything that doesn’t wreak of loud and obnoxious action sequences, or painfully slow and drawn-out war footage. So, whether you have an inkling to head out to a theater near you to catch this film, or you’d rather wait to catch it when it hits on your streaming service, please take the time to check out HALF BROTHERS if you can – as you’ll find that its comedic, yet endearing storyline, has a little something for everyone.
MATINEE CHAT with Kathy Kaiser 