Today’s quick review: The Brothers Grimm. In Napoleonic Germany, brothers Will (Matt Damon) and Jake Grimm (Heath Ledger) make their living by conning townsfolk with tales of witches and monsters. When the French army catches them in the act, the brothers are forced to investigate a rash of kidnappings that appear to be the work of magic. Expecting the work of another con man, they are shocked to learn that for once the fairy tale is real.
The Brothers Grimm is a fantasy adventure movie from director Terry Gilliam that’s loosely based on Grimms’ Fairy Tales. The movie follows the titular brothers as they’re dropped into a world of fairy tales that they’ve often exploited but never believed was real. The Brothers Grimm blends folklore, comedy, horror, and Terry Gilliam’s distinctive style to produce an inventive take on the classics. However, mixed execution and a dark tone hold it back.
The Brothers Grimm skews darker than other, similar fantasy movies. The film’s adventurous spirit and sense of humor should make it a light romp that plays with the conventions of the fairy tale genre. But The Brothers Grimm is peppered with horrifying moments that utterly ruin what levity the film has managed to build up. Twisted forms of magic, black humor, and a tone of menace all make The Brothers Grimm a much rougher watch than it first appears.
Beyond its tonal issues, The Brothers Grimm is a mixed bag. The premise has plenty of potential, the craftsmanship is generally sound, and the movie is packed with the creativity Terry Gilliam is known for. But The Brothers Grimm never clicks the way it should. The dynamic between the brothers works better on paper than in practice, neither one comes off as particularly heroic, and the plot relies on rules of magic that seem made up on the spot.
The end result is a hodgepodge of good ideas and bad missteps. The Brothers Grimm has enough in the way of basic quality to entertain those who can withstand its darker side. The movie should hold some appeal for fans of warped, Terry Gilliam-style fantasy, but there is enough horror in the mix to make it an uncomfortable watch for most viewers. For those who aren’t sold on the premise, The Brothers Grimm is not worth the investment.
For a more upbeat, action-oriented take on a similar premise, try Van Helsing or Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters. For a comedy that explores the con man side of the story in greater depth, try The Brothers Bloom. For another offbeat adventure from Terry Gilliam, check out Time Bandits. For a sweeter fairy tale adventure, check out Stardust. For a dark fantasy drama with more artistry, check out Pan’s Labyrinth.
5.9 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 to 6.5 for fine craftsmanship hurt by an overly macabre tone.