Directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud (Enemy at the Gates, Seven Years in Tibet)
Starring Guy Pearce
Maybe you’ve seen the previews, maybe you’ve seen the specials on animal planet . . . “Two Brothers” hits the theatres Friday, June 25th. Is the film worth seeing?
I must admit, my expectations for the Universal film “Two Brothers” weren’t too high. I mean, how are two tigers going to entertain me for 109 minutes?
Well . . . they did. And the film far exceeded my expectations.
Set in the jungles of Southeast Asia, “Two Brothers” tells the story of Kumal and Sangha, two twin tiger cubs separated from their parents and each other at a young age. Both are raised in captivity; one to be a fierce fighter, the other is domesticated by life in the circus. When they are fully grown, the brothers find themselves reunited-but as forced enemies pitted against each other. “Two Brothers” is a beautiful story of the power of friendship and the bond between brothers.
I think you will like this film:
First, the film doesn’t have anything objectionable in it. Heck, I know Southern Baptists that wouldn’t boycott this film. (Props to my Southern Baptist brothers, you know I’m just clowning!) It’s a relief to have a film that you can actually feel comfortable taking your kids to. And I was relieved to find that the film did NOT go some of the funky “spiritual” directions that I feared it might go. I heard one preview say something about “the spirit that connects us all.” I thought, “Great, another film with the theology of ‘Brother Bear.’” But the film didn’t go there- it was just a fun animal flick.
Second, the film was very touching. The tigers will capture your heart. Every kid leaving the theatre will want to discard their pet Dalmatian they acquired years ago (a day after seeing another film) and now get a pet tiger.
Third, the performances were strong. Yes, the two leads were tigers. But the tigers and the humans gave convincing performances—so much that you can’t help but wonder how much was scripted and how much was just following the exciting lives of two tigers.
Rarely does a film hit the theatres that I would actually feel comfortable taking kids too. Put your fears aside. This is one you can take advantage of for some good clean fun.
Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):
- What are some of the messages or themes you observed in this movie?
- How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
- How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
