Retro Film Review: The Brothers McMullen (1995)

In today's world, at least in those parts that are usually referred as "Western industrialised nations", it is getting increasingly difficult for people to reconcile their faith and tradition with the challenges and temptations offered by modern way of life. Those and other issues are subject of The Brothers McMullen, 1995 romantic comedy written and directed by Edward Burns.

The plot tells the story of McMullens, three brothers from Long Island Irish Catholic family which always took faith and tradition seriously. Good example is Mrs. McMullen (played by Catharine Bolz), who waited 35 years for her abusive and alcoholic husband to die before returning to Ireland to join her real love. This story warns their three sons what could happen if they aren't careful in choosing their romantic partners. The eldest son Jack (played by Jack Mulcahy) seems to have made the right choice already - he is happily married for Molly (played by Connie Britton), but recently he started thinking about extramarital affairs. Barry (played by Edward Burns) is a cynic who, taught by his mother's experience, rejects all romantic commitments. Youngest brother Patrick (played by Mike McClone) is a romantic who also takes his Catholicism most seriously, which would lead to problems with Susan (played by Shari Albert), his Jewish girlfriend that wants to have him converted to Judaism and employed in her father's firm. All three brothers would have to find a way keep faith and find happiness in their lives.

Just like Robert Rodriguez with El Mariachi and Kevin Smith with Clerks, Edward Burns had The Brothers McMullen hailed another triumph of low budget film making. The film was made for around 25,000 US$; Burns, being employed as production assistant for Entertainment Tonight, could shoot film only on weekends; Burns' mother cooked food for cast and crew. Family atmosphere on the shooting proved to be beneficial for the film. The Brothers McMullen radiates warmth and when characters played by mostly non-professional or first time actors discuss family issues, there is a sense of sincerity usually not seen in big budget Hollywood products of the same genre. Burns' script skilfully manages to combine three different subplots into coherent film and strikes good balance between humour and seriousness. On the other hand, some of the film's locations and music soundtrack, even with the budget limitations taken into consideration, seem inadequate. But, despite those flaws, The Brothers McMullen is an intelligent and entertaining little comedy that deserves attention not only because of the way it was made.

RATING: 6/10 (++)

(Note: The text in its original form was posted in Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.films.reviews on May 12th 2004)

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