Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Ewan McGregor | ... | ||
Colin Farrell | ... | ||
|
Peter-Hugo Daly | ... |
Boat Owner
(as Peter Hugo-Daly)
|
John Benfield | ... |
Father
|
|
Clare Higgins | ... |
Mother
|
|
Ashley Madekwe | ... |
Lucy
(as Ashley Medekwe)
|
|
Andrew Howard | ... |
Jerry
|
|
Hayley Atwell | ... | ||
Sally Hawkins | ... | ||
|
Keith Smee | ... |
Terry's Track Mate
|
|
Stephen Noonan | ... |
Mel
|
|
Dan Carter | ... |
Fred
|
Richard Lintern | ... |
Director
|
|
Jennifer Higham | ... |
Helen
|
|
|
Lee Whitlock | ... |
Mike
|
Two London brothers are hard-up for cash, and both have girls to look out for, too. When rich Uncle Howard comes to town and agrees to help them out, he admits his finances are under investigation, and he asks them to do him a favor and "take care of" an old business relation to keep his trouble under wraps - he says that they're family, and since he always takes care of them, the least they could do is help him out this once, as they're the only ones he can trust. The film follows their struggle with the immorality of this request and how each brother chooses to deal with it. Written by Anonymous
I saw this film yesterday, and went in with no idea what to expect. All I knew was it was a new Woody Allen movie with Collin Farrell, Ewan McGregor, and Tom Wilkinson, and supposedly rather dark.
Dark it was, but not overwhelmingly so. Farrell and McGregor play London brothers who are hard-up for cash, both with love interests that they're looking to take care of. Their rich Uncle Howard (Wilkinson) agrees to help them out as usual, if they do him a favor and "get rid of" a business relation who poses a threat to his finances. Despite many doubts, their situations are pressing, and the young men agree. The story then follows the different ways they deal with the factual immorality of what they have done.
It's not exactly a cheery film, but it isn't quite an intense, ominous drama, either, like the somewhat similar brothers-in-trouble based melodrama 'Before the Devil Knows You're Dead' that was recently released. In 'Dream,' there's a thin layer of dark humor that adds a refreshing twist here and there.
Everything was good on the acting end, though not mind-blowing; both McGregor and especially Farrell gave strong performances. The story, though rather predictable, is still enjoyable. Nice use of London and the British countryside on Allen's part. Overall, it's a solid film that will entertain, but that's about it.