By Jonathan Klotz
| Revealed
Mark Wahlberg’s lengthy profession in Hollywood is fascinating, together with the long-lasting Boogie Nights, the cult hit comedy Ted, and quite a lot of outright bombs that will have destroyed the profession of every other star, you, Max Payne. Buried in the midst of his profession, after he left indie movies for blockbusters, however earlier than Transformers, lies 4 Brothers, a star-studded revenge thriller from director John Singleton. Wahlberg is at his finest when he’s a part of an ensemble, which is the key motive this neglected movie is one in every of his finest.
One Homicide, 4 Brothers
Wahlberg performs Bobby Mercer, the oldest of the 4 brothers, all of whom have been raised by Evelyn Mercer (Fionnula Flanagan) after their very own households fell aside. Tyrese Gibson, contemporary off working with Singleton on 2 Quick 2 Livid, is Angel Mercer, Andre Benjamin (Outkast singer Andre 3000) performs Jeremiah Mercer, and the youngest, Jack Mercer, is performed by Garret Hedlund, lengthy earlier than Tron: Legacy. The brothers reunite after Evelyn is gunned down, setting them on a path for revenge that leads them on to the native crime boss, Sweets (Chiwetel Ejiofor), who occurs to have most of Detroit on the take.
Like a traditional household, the 4 brothers uncover that as they grew up, they didn’t have so much in frequent with one another. At first, they’ll’t even agree on the right way to avenge their mother. Bobby’s a felony, Angel is a Marine, Jeremiah enjoys the quiet life together with his household, and Jack continues to be a child, however they do put their variations apart and are available collectively to dismantle the felony underground of Detroit and take down a number of corrupt cops and politicians alongside the best way.
4 Brothers Shares The Highlight
He will get high billing, and Bobby emerges as a pacesetter, however Mark Wahlberg takes a again seat to Tyrese Gibson and Andre Benjamin for stretches of the movie, and by sharing the main target, 4 Brothers makes probably the most of Wahlberg’s screentime. In contrast to Shooter and Max Payne, his schtick doesn’t have time to get outdated. Just a little little bit of Marky Mark goes a great distance.
Even the supporting forged is full of acquainted faces, together with Terrence Howard, a pre-Fashionable Household Sofia Vergara, Taraji P. Henson, and one of many best “that man’s” in Hollywood, Josh Charles, a reputation you don’t acknowledge, however a face and a voice that you’ll instantly place. 4 Brothers makes probably the most out of each efficiency, and Singleton manages to make everybody really feel vital, a feat that main blockbuster franchises at present are nonetheless scuffling with.
4 Brothers was not a important hit, and at present it sports activities a 53 p.c score on Rotten Tomatoes from critics. Nevertheless, those that actually matter, the final viewers, give it a considerably increased mark of 80 p.c.
I do know that saying 4 Brothers is one in every of Mark Wahlberg’s finest as a result of it doesn’t put him entrance and heart might seem to be a backhanded praise, however right here, The Departed, Ache and Achieve, The Excellent Storm, The Italian Job, and even Boogie Nights are all the identical method. Colin Farrell found he wasn’t meant to be a standard main man, and as soon as he embraced the fitting roles for him, the awards and important acclaim quickly adopted. There’s hope but for Wahlberg.
4 Brothers is now streaming on Paramount+.
