Wow. I grew up in Scarborough during that era. Same type of thing. My sister and we're children Jamaican immigrant parents. We lived in several buildings. Super rough areas. It brought back so many memories. We saw a lot of violence. Had a lot of amazing friends in the same situation as me. We all became so close back then. Still are today. I miss the music. They really did the era Justice. The acting was excellent. Story was very believable. I find that hardship can make people's bond in a a way little else does. I wish there were more movies around this time about the way we grew up. Kudos to the actors, director, writer!
10 Reviews
Hard to watch, but the ring of truth
steiner-sam26 March 2023
It follows a Canadian-Jamaican family in Scarborough, Ontario, over 20 years from 1981 to 2001.
Ruth (Marsha Stephanie Blake) is a Jamaican immigrant to Toronto, Canada. She has two sons--Francis (Jacob Williams/Aaron Pierre) and Michael (David Odion/Sabastian Nigel Singh/Lamar Johnson). Francis is older than Michael by a couple of years and is protective of his family in the father's absence. By his late teens, Francis is a large, physically intimidating man who acts with confidence but has some questionable friends. Michael is smaller, darker, less self-confident, and more studious in school. In high school, Michael is attracted to Aisha (Delia Lisette Chambers/Kiana Madeira), a Canadian-Jamaican neighbor whose father came from the same area of Jamaica as Ruth.
The story jumps back and forth between 1981, 1991, when a tragic event occurs, and 2001 when Michael is trying to hold things together. We see the bleakness of many Caribbean immigrant lives, the aura of violence that is never far away, and the problematic relationship with a lily-white 1991 Scarborough police force.
"Brother" is the story of family love persisting through trauma, shattered dreams of a hopeful Jamaican musician, and territorial conflicts between gangs of similar backgrounds, with a final glimmer of resolution at the end. "Brother" was a hard movie to watch because of its ring of truth and many dark scenes. The chemistry between Blake, Pierre, and Johnson was excellent. Madeira was also good. My biggest complaint was that I found the rapid jumping back and forth in time sometimes confusing. And I wonder if the metaphor of hydro-tower-climbing interspersed throughout the film really worked. Nonetheless, "Brother" is one of the better Canadian movies I've recently seen.
Ruth (Marsha Stephanie Blake) is a Jamaican immigrant to Toronto, Canada. She has two sons--Francis (Jacob Williams/Aaron Pierre) and Michael (David Odion/Sabastian Nigel Singh/Lamar Johnson). Francis is older than Michael by a couple of years and is protective of his family in the father's absence. By his late teens, Francis is a large, physically intimidating man who acts with confidence but has some questionable friends. Michael is smaller, darker, less self-confident, and more studious in school. In high school, Michael is attracted to Aisha (Delia Lisette Chambers/Kiana Madeira), a Canadian-Jamaican neighbor whose father came from the same area of Jamaica as Ruth.
The story jumps back and forth between 1981, 1991, when a tragic event occurs, and 2001 when Michael is trying to hold things together. We see the bleakness of many Caribbean immigrant lives, the aura of violence that is never far away, and the problematic relationship with a lily-white 1991 Scarborough police force.
"Brother" is the story of family love persisting through trauma, shattered dreams of a hopeful Jamaican musician, and territorial conflicts between gangs of similar backgrounds, with a final glimmer of resolution at the end. "Brother" was a hard movie to watch because of its ring of truth and many dark scenes. The chemistry between Blake, Pierre, and Johnson was excellent. Madeira was also good. My biggest complaint was that I found the rapid jumping back and forth in time sometimes confusing. And I wonder if the metaphor of hydro-tower-climbing interspersed throughout the film really worked. Nonetheless, "Brother" is one of the better Canadian movies I've recently seen.
A powerful film
rdoyle2922 March 2023
Withdrawn, and a bit timid and unsure. Their mother (Marsha Stephanie Blake), a Jamaican immigrant, works long hours to support the boys, so Pierre becomes a de facto guardian for Johnson.
Flashing forward 10 years, we learn that Pierre has died and Blake has been nearly catatonic with grief for a decade. When Johnson's ex-girlfriend Kiana Madeira comes to visit, she initiates a chain of events that breaches the cocoon of grief that Johnson and Blake are living in.
This film is really beautifully shot, creating a really vivid sense of place, and it's wonderfully acted by the three leads. It alternates between the two timelines, showing how Pierre's restless ambition (he's involved with the nascent Toronto hip hop scene) and refusal to be anything less than a person with dignity sends him on a tragic spiral, and how the aftermath of this tragedy impacts his family a decade later.
It's got a few issues. It's really deliberate pace slows down a bit too much in the last half hour, and since we sort of see everything from Johnson's perspective, it has trouble making his motives as clear as everyone else's. Still, it's a powerful story well told and acted, and a really vivid depiction of the Toronto Caribbean community.
Flashing forward 10 years, we learn that Pierre has died and Blake has been nearly catatonic with grief for a decade. When Johnson's ex-girlfriend Kiana Madeira comes to visit, she initiates a chain of events that breaches the cocoon of grief that Johnson and Blake are living in.
This film is really beautifully shot, creating a really vivid sense of place, and it's wonderfully acted by the three leads. It alternates between the two timelines, showing how Pierre's restless ambition (he's involved with the nascent Toronto hip hop scene) and refusal to be anything less than a person with dignity sends him on a tragic spiral, and how the aftermath of this tragedy impacts his family a decade later.
It's got a few issues. It's really deliberate pace slows down a bit too much in the last half hour, and since we sort of see everything from Johnson's perspective, it has trouble making his motives as clear as everyone else's. Still, it's a powerful story well told and acted, and a really vivid depiction of the Toronto Caribbean community.
"BROTHER" REVIEW
Mr-Topshotta7 October 2023
Directed and written by Clement Virgo. A runtime of one hour and fifty-nine minutes. Streaming on Netflix.
"Ruth" played by Marsha Stephanie Blake, and her two sons "Francis" played by Aaron Pierre, and "Michael" played by Lamar Johnson migrated from Jamaica to Toronto in the early 80s. This was an interesting time. The hip-hop scene had just exploded. While crime in Toronto was extremely bad. On top of heavy police harassment.
"Ruth" was a hard worker. She worked many hours to provide a roof over her son's head. "Michael" the youngest was very timid and scary most times. "Francis" was a true big brother. He protected him. Keeping him mentally and physically safe as they grew up.
With flashbacks throughout the film.
You watch different timelines in the life of these Jamaican brothers dealing with life and all the hardships that can come with it.
"Brother" was a confusing film. When it comes to the storyline I could relate to it a lot. I'm Jamaican. I was born there and at a young age migrated to America. I have two brothers though. Aaron Pierre who plays the older brother "Francis" reminds me of my oldest brother in some ways. Not only his complexion but also his being protective and holding me down mentally as well. He's also into many different types of music.
When it comes to the film though. Some scenes felt like Jamaicans were involved in it or making it. While other scenes felt like people were just trying to act Jamaican. It was deceiving and a letdown at times.
Putting that to the side. It was a good drama that reminded me of the film "Moonlight". It felt like they used that film as the template. The only problem was the timelines and the flashbacks. Unlike "Moonlight" which stayed in a younger timeline and then moved to an older timeline. This film was everywhere. Young, almost adults, to the present. There were so many flashbacks it got hard to tell what timeline they were in.
On top of that. Some heavy stuff was happening. With some mental aspects that they didn't address. Were certain characters going through manic episodes? Were they bipolar or just passionate? It didn't do a good job of explaining that or the current timeline. It left a lot of questions.
They were building up the plot to a huge climatic scene. The thing that happened in the scene was climatic but the scene itself left more to be desired. It just didn't come together well enough especially since the majority of the film was leading up to that.
Overall a lot of subject matter that I could relate to. Of course, being a Jamaican some of the music scenes got me pumped up. Had me yelling mor fire which if you didn't know is a Jamaican term. Expressing your level of joy and excitement for something. Fire is hot and it's telling you this track or whatever is dope. This is also why I chose to make it my rating system for films. This had the making to be a five mor fire film but in the end, it turned out to be three mor fires 🔥🔥🔥.
#CosmoandtheMovieWithin #CosmoMovieBlog #CosmoLanier #Brother.
"Ruth" played by Marsha Stephanie Blake, and her two sons "Francis" played by Aaron Pierre, and "Michael" played by Lamar Johnson migrated from Jamaica to Toronto in the early 80s. This was an interesting time. The hip-hop scene had just exploded. While crime in Toronto was extremely bad. On top of heavy police harassment.
"Ruth" was a hard worker. She worked many hours to provide a roof over her son's head. "Michael" the youngest was very timid and scary most times. "Francis" was a true big brother. He protected him. Keeping him mentally and physically safe as they grew up.
With flashbacks throughout the film.
You watch different timelines in the life of these Jamaican brothers dealing with life and all the hardships that can come with it.
"Brother" was a confusing film. When it comes to the storyline I could relate to it a lot. I'm Jamaican. I was born there and at a young age migrated to America. I have two brothers though. Aaron Pierre who plays the older brother "Francis" reminds me of my oldest brother in some ways. Not only his complexion but also his being protective and holding me down mentally as well. He's also into many different types of music.
When it comes to the film though. Some scenes felt like Jamaicans were involved in it or making it. While other scenes felt like people were just trying to act Jamaican. It was deceiving and a letdown at times.
Putting that to the side. It was a good drama that reminded me of the film "Moonlight". It felt like they used that film as the template. The only problem was the timelines and the flashbacks. Unlike "Moonlight" which stayed in a younger timeline and then moved to an older timeline. This film was everywhere. Young, almost adults, to the present. There were so many flashbacks it got hard to tell what timeline they were in.
On top of that. Some heavy stuff was happening. With some mental aspects that they didn't address. Were certain characters going through manic episodes? Were they bipolar or just passionate? It didn't do a good job of explaining that or the current timeline. It left a lot of questions.
They were building up the plot to a huge climatic scene. The thing that happened in the scene was climatic but the scene itself left more to be desired. It just didn't come together well enough especially since the majority of the film was leading up to that.
Overall a lot of subject matter that I could relate to. Of course, being a Jamaican some of the music scenes got me pumped up. Had me yelling mor fire which if you didn't know is a Jamaican term. Expressing your level of joy and excitement for something. Fire is hot and it's telling you this track or whatever is dope. This is also why I chose to make it my rating system for films. This had the making to be a five mor fire film but in the end, it turned out to be three mor fires 🔥🔥🔥.
#CosmoandtheMovieWithin #CosmoMovieBlog #CosmoLanier #Brother.
"My Gift to You": A Powerful Story
xOEryn8 October 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The shadows have received a reputation as an undesirable place to be. We want only what the light touches. It's only in those moments when we stand toe to toe with an enemy, a fear, or the uncertainties of life and big brother's shadow envelopes us, stepping up to take on all that we can't, that the shadows signify peace and rest. What happens when Big Brother goes where you can't follow? What happens when Big Brother's shadow is no more? Brother, written and directed by Clement Virgo tackles the subjects of identity, family, safety, and security from the lens of masculinity and to a soundtrack of Toronto in the 90s.
Michael, the quiet and observant young man played by Lamar Johnson is coming of age behind a brother, Francis, played by Aaron Pierre, who is groomed to be a protector and helper despite his own silent struggles. The dynamic of Michael and Francis mirrors the quintessential big brother/ little brother relationship. Francis paves a path and Michael follows. Francis teaches and Michael learns in all things from how to use adult magazines to how to comply with the police while being arrested. Ruth, their overworked and sometimes overbearing mother, portrayed by the powerhouse that is Marsha Stephanie Blake, unwittingly drives a wedge between the brothers when her interactions with Francis push him further and further away.
The build-up of Francis' pain can be heard, felt, and seen as he transitions from becoming "one less mouth to feed" to taking on the task of seeing about groceries for his estranged family. At what age do young Black men stop feeling like their mother's children and begin to picture themselves as burdens? Aaron Pierre delivers a stoic Francis, from boy to man. His performance culminates in a weathering that shows signs of the same uncertainty he highlights in his brother.
Michael transitions from almost voiceless and observant to finding the strength in his words, though they've become calloused and still unsure. As he journeys through his moments to become the man his brother's shadow grooms him to be, he witnesses a decline in the stature of his brother- the mighty shadow waning before his eyes. He finds his courage in love, building around the complications in his life with Aisha, played by Kiana Madeira. Johnson's portrayal of Michael is gentle, cautious, and unready for the truths of the world, and his life.
Ruth's observation, decidedly too late, that her son wasn't safe, adds to those things she survived. There are layers of a foregone life that are alluded to but never seen. Layers of a life that belonged to Ruth, whose glimpses lead us to believe that she was happy once. These layers serve as reasons for the perpetual air of exhaustion around Ruth's coming and going. Blake's depiction of grief, ranging from anger to immense sadness and what appears to be a mental break makes it clear that her behavior in the events leading up to those final moments was also representative of grief. It asks the question, how do we grieve the loss of love and does it look or feel any differently when what we're grieving is a loss of hope?
The film's structure, drifting in and out of the characters' present moments and memories from their pasts, sets us up for questions asked and questions answered. We get to see Ruth's sons in snapshots of their childhood- how the big brother's shoes suited Francis in his youth and how Michael benefitted from the stature of the man that Ruth's misery pressured Francis to create for himself. The beautiful color and composition of each scene add a visual layer of melancholy to the already heartbreaking story.
"My gift to you", hauntingly unfolds in the story of the lives of Michael and Francis. In the end, what was gifted but a breaking of the dilapidated scaffolding of a family structure that cycled through loss without ever processing the pain.
"Ne me quitte pas," sung by Nina Simone, seems to be the soundtrack of Francis' life and is passed on to Michael, just like the wisdom, just like the pain -"don't leave me."
Stream Brother now on Netflix.
Michael, the quiet and observant young man played by Lamar Johnson is coming of age behind a brother, Francis, played by Aaron Pierre, who is groomed to be a protector and helper despite his own silent struggles. The dynamic of Michael and Francis mirrors the quintessential big brother/ little brother relationship. Francis paves a path and Michael follows. Francis teaches and Michael learns in all things from how to use adult magazines to how to comply with the police while being arrested. Ruth, their overworked and sometimes overbearing mother, portrayed by the powerhouse that is Marsha Stephanie Blake, unwittingly drives a wedge between the brothers when her interactions with Francis push him further and further away.
The build-up of Francis' pain can be heard, felt, and seen as he transitions from becoming "one less mouth to feed" to taking on the task of seeing about groceries for his estranged family. At what age do young Black men stop feeling like their mother's children and begin to picture themselves as burdens? Aaron Pierre delivers a stoic Francis, from boy to man. His performance culminates in a weathering that shows signs of the same uncertainty he highlights in his brother.
Michael transitions from almost voiceless and observant to finding the strength in his words, though they've become calloused and still unsure. As he journeys through his moments to become the man his brother's shadow grooms him to be, he witnesses a decline in the stature of his brother- the mighty shadow waning before his eyes. He finds his courage in love, building around the complications in his life with Aisha, played by Kiana Madeira. Johnson's portrayal of Michael is gentle, cautious, and unready for the truths of the world, and his life.
Ruth's observation, decidedly too late, that her son wasn't safe, adds to those things she survived. There are layers of a foregone life that are alluded to but never seen. Layers of a life that belonged to Ruth, whose glimpses lead us to believe that she was happy once. These layers serve as reasons for the perpetual air of exhaustion around Ruth's coming and going. Blake's depiction of grief, ranging from anger to immense sadness and what appears to be a mental break makes it clear that her behavior in the events leading up to those final moments was also representative of grief. It asks the question, how do we grieve the loss of love and does it look or feel any differently when what we're grieving is a loss of hope?
The film's structure, drifting in and out of the characters' present moments and memories from their pasts, sets us up for questions asked and questions answered. We get to see Ruth's sons in snapshots of their childhood- how the big brother's shoes suited Francis in his youth and how Michael benefitted from the stature of the man that Ruth's misery pressured Francis to create for himself. The beautiful color and composition of each scene add a visual layer of melancholy to the already heartbreaking story.
"My gift to you", hauntingly unfolds in the story of the lives of Michael and Francis. In the end, what was gifted but a breaking of the dilapidated scaffolding of a family structure that cycled through loss without ever processing the pain.
"Ne me quitte pas," sung by Nina Simone, seems to be the soundtrack of Francis' life and is passed on to Michael, just like the wisdom, just like the pain -"don't leave me."
Stream Brother now on Netflix.
A touching film about a Caribbean single parent brothers raised by a hardworking mom chasing a dream of their future and bumping up against police racial profiling of the 90's
saturninkepa10 August 2023
I was really excited about this film as I too am an immigrant that grew up in the Toronto suburbs, on the west side, in Mississauga, but the feel and reality of living in the apartment blocks reminded me of my own experiences in such neighborhoods.
The toil, taking multiple buses each and every day to make it on time to sub par underpaid minimum wage job. Working long hours and overtime to get that 1.5x bump... I could totally understand the predicament this family found themselves in and the sacrifices they made to keep their heads above water.
That said, being polish racial profiling was not an extra burden that we had to carry. Still it was easy to feel out of place around those that had big houses multiple cars and seemingly little hardship in comparison...
Luckily, with two working parents doing overtime to the max, we were able to buy a semi-detached house in the burbs. When I turned 16, I could drive the parents car and the old life felt like a bad nightmare.
I remember for 5 years after moving to our new house, in the burbs these recuring dreams of waking up in the old apartment, carpets in the hallway that needed to be changed last decade, garbage chute smelling foul as you got close to it, the stairways reeking of urine you wake up in a cold sweat being glad it was only a nightmare.
Could it have been different with only 1 parent and police profiling, you bet!
The toil, taking multiple buses each and every day to make it on time to sub par underpaid minimum wage job. Working long hours and overtime to get that 1.5x bump... I could totally understand the predicament this family found themselves in and the sacrifices they made to keep their heads above water.
That said, being polish racial profiling was not an extra burden that we had to carry. Still it was easy to feel out of place around those that had big houses multiple cars and seemingly little hardship in comparison...
Luckily, with two working parents doing overtime to the max, we were able to buy a semi-detached house in the burbs. When I turned 16, I could drive the parents car and the old life felt like a bad nightmare.
I remember for 5 years after moving to our new house, in the burbs these recuring dreams of waking up in the old apartment, carpets in the hallway that needed to be changed last decade, garbage chute smelling foul as you got close to it, the stairways reeking of urine you wake up in a cold sweat being glad it was only a nightmare.
Could it have been different with only 1 parent and police profiling, you bet!
Another Slice of Misery
evanston_dad8 January 2024
Oh goodie, yet another movie that entirely defines black people by the trauma heaped upon them.
"Brother" has some good things going for it, notably a couple of the performances and a strong directorial vision. But it's too funereally paced and it's just so eager to wallow in everything that's depressing about the black experience and nothing that's joyful about it. It also feels behind the times -- the police brutality that plays a key role in this film has been explored a million times already in countless other ways. It's not that it isn't still relevant and urgent, it's just that this movie doesn't say anything about it that hasn't already been said by better movies.
And the LGBTQ storyline that came out of nowhere and is never commented on felt shoehorned into the film just to tick off another diversity box. It made no sense that it would be such a non-issue in the context of this film or in the world these young men live in.
Grade: B-
"Brother" has some good things going for it, notably a couple of the performances and a strong directorial vision. But it's too funereally paced and it's just so eager to wallow in everything that's depressing about the black experience and nothing that's joyful about it. It also feels behind the times -- the police brutality that plays a key role in this film has been explored a million times already in countless other ways. It's not that it isn't still relevant and urgent, it's just that this movie doesn't say anything about it that hasn't already been said by better movies.
And the LGBTQ storyline that came out of nowhere and is never commented on felt shoehorned into the film just to tick off another diversity box. It made no sense that it would be such a non-issue in the context of this film or in the world these young men live in.
Grade: B-
Profoundly moving
ncook-7147119 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Sometimes the qualities that make something really beautiful are the hardest to put into words, and to me "Brother" falls into this category. The character Francis profoundly loves those closest to him, and his love for his boyfriend cruelly leads him to events ultimately resulting in his tragic death. Francis' mother and his brother Michael are devastated, and it is the depth of Francis' love for his brother and his unshakable belief in him that give Michael the courage to rise up as the man he must be to rescue his mother and himself from life-destroying despair. To me, this realization came into focus at the movie's end as the brothers are finally sitting down together at the top of the electic tower they climbed together, with Francis glancing at his brother as if to say "I love and value you so much that I couldn't stand to lose you, but I KNEW that you could do it".
Beautiful and important piece
martinpersson9724 June 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This incredible film, by a great director and showcasing a very promising cast, is a very important and beautifully put together piece.
The themes of identity and exlucsion are well developed and composed, and splendidly conveyed by the incredible actors. All of this accompined by a great script, that checks all the unconventional boxes in interesting fashion.
Which leads us into the technical and artistic details surrounding cinematography, cutting and editing, which are all handled gracefully.
It is an overall incredibly beautifully put together film that is very much recommended for any lover of film, and one that anyone should experience given its important themes.
The themes of identity and exlucsion are well developed and composed, and splendidly conveyed by the incredible actors. All of this accompined by a great script, that checks all the unconventional boxes in interesting fashion.
Which leads us into the technical and artistic details surrounding cinematography, cutting and editing, which are all handled gracefully.
It is an overall incredibly beautifully put together film that is very much recommended for any lover of film, and one that anyone should experience given its important themes.
A metaphor of love.
jesuschacinventas13 August 2023
Brothers, a metaphor of love.
At first glance, this is a film about human dignity and family unity. However, it does not stop there. In its multiple layers, it explores other weighty and complex themes. Such as the fear that comes with daring to seek an identity in a society filled with prejudices and inequalities. It is also a movie about the choices we all have to make at some point in our lives, but in the case of these brothers, such decisions are made more difficult by the weight of the traumas and stigmas imposed by their environment. Which, through tragedy, pushes them towards anger, resentment, and violence.
To avoid drowning in this predetermined fate, they have only one lifeline; love, which also seems to be able to flourish in the driest deserts. Can they resist and save themselves, even if it's just one of them? This is the question posed at the beginning of the film, and which is revealed to us in a moving and sincere ending.
As for the technical aspects, the film is characterized by good photography, excellent handling of the shots, and a fragmented narrative with flash forwards and flashbacks, which although may seem confusing at times, at the end of each sequence, we realize that it is not, demonstrating how the apparent chaos prevails a sublime order.
If you are looking for a Hollywood-style movie simply to entertain yourself, this film is a 6 at best, possibly a 7. But if you are a sensitive and curious spirit who wonders what it's like to walk in the shoes of the less fortunate, then this film is for you.
At first glance, this is a film about human dignity and family unity. However, it does not stop there. In its multiple layers, it explores other weighty and complex themes. Such as the fear that comes with daring to seek an identity in a society filled with prejudices and inequalities. It is also a movie about the choices we all have to make at some point in our lives, but in the case of these brothers, such decisions are made more difficult by the weight of the traumas and stigmas imposed by their environment. Which, through tragedy, pushes them towards anger, resentment, and violence.
To avoid drowning in this predetermined fate, they have only one lifeline; love, which also seems to be able to flourish in the driest deserts. Can they resist and save themselves, even if it's just one of them? This is the question posed at the beginning of the film, and which is revealed to us in a moving and sincere ending.
As for the technical aspects, the film is characterized by good photography, excellent handling of the shots, and a fragmented narrative with flash forwards and flashbacks, which although may seem confusing at times, at the end of each sequence, we realize that it is not, demonstrating how the apparent chaos prevails a sublime order.
If you are looking for a Hollywood-style movie simply to entertain yourself, this film is a 6 at best, possibly a 7. But if you are a sensitive and curious spirit who wonders what it's like to walk in the shoes of the less fortunate, then this film is for you.
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