'Brothers McMullen' ultimate male relationship movie

Relationships sell in Hollywood.

It doesn't matter whether it's television or film, music or commercials. Relationships sell.

One need only watch the hit sitcom "Friends" to know it's true. "Friends" is fueled by the characters' discussions on the subject of who they date, why they want to date, and how they date. But it's hard to get to the real emotion of relationships, and why they are the way they are, in 22 minutes every Thursday night.

"The Brothers McMullen" accomplishes more very nicely.

The picture is the ultimate relationship movie from the male perspective, a catharsis for those of us who are relationship-challenged. But it's also that rare film that doesn't treat its female characters like morons, and in this film that might be the most important thing.

"The Brothers McMullen" is the story of three Irish-American brothers living on Long Island and how they handle their relationships.

The picture begins with the death of the brothers' father. At the cemetery after the funeral, the mother tells the middle brother, Barry, that she'd been waiting and hoping for her husband to die so she could run back to Ireland to be with her true love. She tells Barry not to make the same mistake she did. This sentiment hangs over the picture like fog from that point on, influencing action and providing context to who these guys are.

Jack (Jack Mulcahy),the oldest, is married and is the most settled into adult life.

Barry is the funniest and the most cynical about women. It's no wonder that Barry got all the good lines in the film -- he's played by Edward Burns, who also wrote and directed the movie.

Patrick (Mike McGlone) is the youngest, and the resident moralist. His Catholicism plays a big part in his world view and his take on relationships.

Perhaps the best aspect of this movie is the way it is told, through the eyes of the brothers themselves. They don't just sit around and talk about their problems in their relationships -- the camera follows the individuals around and watches them make mistakes and fall in love. Then they meet back at Jack's place to talk about what you, the viewer, just witnessed.

The best story involves Jack and his wife, Molly. She's funny and smart, friendly and serious, which makes it all the more difficult to understand Jack's infidelity. The viewer empathizes with her, as she has to endure her husband's cheating ways.

The film is filled with outstanding performances, but the true standout is the youngest brother, Patrick, played by McGlone, and his angry tirades about relationships whenever he talks with his brothers.

Everything considered, I would recommend "The Brothers McMullen" to anyone, male or female, because of the way movies and television usually only scratch the surface of situations and problems that come up in our lives. This film doesn't, and that, in itself, is reason to see it.

[ back to Golden Gater Online September 7, 1995 ]

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