Customer Reviews

Brotherhood - The Complete First Season

5 star:		(44)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Showtime has been trying for years to brand itself as the new HBO, producing programming that it hopes will match the critical and popular success of its rival network (with "Sex and the City", "Sopranos", "Deadwood", "The Wire", "Six Feet Under" and "Curb Your Enthusiasm" as a few examples).

To me, most of the shows have fallen short. I did think, however, "Sleeper Cell" was better than most people gave it credit for --and "Weeds" has developed into a tidy little comedy. So check them out, too.

"Brotherhood", in my opinion, is their crowning achievement so far. It is sophisticated, morally ambiguous entertainment. The set-up is not unfamiliar--the classic cops versus criminals in a distinctly Irish neighborhood. Good brother in politics versus bad brother in crime. But how good is the good brother? And how bad is the bad? This show is very much about the choices we make and the complications and compromises that can arise.

But it's even more about family, obligations and loyalty. You will see this family for every flaw (and there are so many), but there is also much to be respected. I don't like shows to spoon-feed me ideology and tell me what to think. I like that "Brotherhood" doesn't pass judgment, it respects its characters and each viewer will likely react differently to their goings-on.

Two particular stand-outs in the cast are Jason Isaacs and Annabeth Gish. I've liked these performers for a while, but neither has achieved major stardom. Isaacs is ostensibly the "bad" brother and he is, at once, chillingly cold and charming. And Gish, as the politician's wife, is so lost and hopeless in many regards--but also, strangely, the voice of reason in many circumstances.

"Brotherhood" is complex, you do have to pay attention. It's serious drama done for people who appreciate serious drama. And I do! KGHarris, 9/06.

This is such a great show; I would give it more than 5 stars if I could. No, it's NOT an Irish Sopranos; some of the newspaper/magazine reviews were very dismissive in calling it so and I wonder if the reviewers really watched the show. It's very complex (I love DVDs; perfect for watching episodes more than once) and, to me, not predictable. My husband and I watch a lot of TV and we have not sat and discussed a show this much for years. It has a great cast (it is so great to see actors like Jason Isaacs - my favorite actor by far - and Annabeth Gish playing such meaty parts) and the writing is excellent, WAY above what is usually seen on TV and in most Hollywood movies these days. I was hoping for good things when I first heard about this show and I was not disappointed in any way, except that it was over too soon! I look forward to Season 2 and hope they can keep the quality going; too many shows jump the shark in their second season and it would be a shame to see that happen here. (This is my major complaint about most HBO shows - they lose their mojo in the second/third season - witness the recent debacle of "Deadwood", previously my favorite show.) Anyway, give this one a chance and I think you will find it very enjoyable. Yes, it's violent and gritty and sometimes rather sad/depressing, but don't let that stop you from checking it out. It can also be very touching at times. Very high quality all the way around.

The more and more that Showtime is premiering new shows, the better they have been. Maybe that's why some people are refering to Showtime as being a "new HBO" (although HBO isn't really HBO these days) with the list of new and original series' that have been very, very good. You have the hilarious Weeds, the riveting Sleeper Cell, the horriffic and addictive Dexter, and the entertaining Masters of Horror to name a few, and you also have this political/gangster drama. Brotherhood follows Irish-American politician Tommy Caffee (Jason Clarke), whose life gets thrown into upheaval when his long departed gangster brother Michael (the excellent Jason Isaacs) resurfaces. As each battles for control over the Hill, we soon learn that there is really not much difference between the two brothers, and the line between good and bad becomes more and more blurred with each passing episode. The supporting cast, including Fionnula Flanagan as the brother's controling mother and Annabeth Gish as Tommy's wife, are great, but it's veteran actor Jason Isaacs who is really the draw of the show, as he gives a masterful performance as one of the most subtley dangerous men to grace a series on Showtime. There's a little uneven feel to the series, but that aside, there is a ton of potential here for Brotherhood to be something really, really special. Comparisons to the Sopranos aside, Brotherhood is a treat.

Not only is the story of an Irish family (Caffee brothers) living in Providence, Rhode Island compelling, I love the fact that the scenes and names of the places are so authentic and real. I actually lived in the yellow house you see on the screen, on Carpenter Street, as a young boy. But, you don't have to be from Providence to like this story. The filming is well done. The actors are impressive to say the least. With shows like Dexter and now Brotherhood, Showtime is giving HBO a run for its money. Worth seeing.

I'd say that Jason Isaacs sounds just like Robert DeNiro in gangster mode.
It was cool! Condidering Isaacs is from Liverpool, he pulled it off nicely.

It's also a great show!!! I can't wait for season2 .

We so enjoyed watching the first season over a weekend..
Some parts are excessively violent but that's what FF is for;-)

We loved it so much that it ALMOST made us sign up for Showtime, but for now, we'll just wait and buy the 2nd season from Amazon.

Fabulous acting, characters are hard to forget.

It is a great view quality show, but some reviewers who point out the curious lack of sub-titles even in English, are correct, its the first modern box set Ive bought which lacks them, and they would come in handy for deciphering critical pieces of dialogue which are lost in the sometimes average standard of audio recording.

Can ANYONE please tell me the remark Tommy made to his sister about his Brother in law, while sitting on the doorstep outside to which she replied: Thats not nice!!
I replayed this segment more than 10 times, I cannot hear what he said, usually subtitles would solve this kind of enigma.

It is described as an Irish Sopranos,its usually not as out there as the Sopranos, although perhaps some violent scenes do thus remind. I guess Michael's execution of the 3 Russian mob thugs ( for which you find yourself cheering) or his clash with the Armenians, or the conversation between him and his partner about the dead FBI agent in the back of the Dodge Charger, do have some Sopranos in it.His recovering drunk buddy partner is pretty Chris Moltisante(RIP) reincarnate, but that's not a bad thing, and he's good enough at it.

It it worth buying, and will you tend to watch all 11 eps in a binge?
YES/Yes

This season will leave you wishing the next was already showing. I may get a subscription to the cable channel this airs on. A must buy.

I loved the series, and bought Showtime just to get to watch it, am dying to see what happens next year. This shows me that American TV cares about really fine acting and writing. I taped the show off the TV and wore out the tapes rerunning it for my own pleasure. I am a Jason Isaacs nutter, love his abilities as a really great actor. Also, this show is not just another of those New York specials like so many are, where folks think NY is the heart of American. Providence RI is a marvelous historic city with about a hundred times more worth than NY anytime. I love it.

I am from Rhode island and grew up in Providence. The city has its fair share of shady tales and it is something we pride. The real town and the locals are nowhere near the picture this show makes it out to be, but it is a very compelling show. The constant battle beetween gangland and politics is something that rips you down the middle. I love Providence and I love it being showcased. Great great show.