Together Brothers is a drama
filled, gritty film that offers a portrayal of ghetto life within the wave of
the 1970s Blaxploitation era. Set in Galveston, Texas a teenage gang comprised
of Blacks and Chicanos, ‘the Brothers’ learn that a police officer, Mr. Kool (Ed
Bernard), who was seen as a mentor has been found brutally murdered. The twist
of the movie is that the only witness is the leader’s 5-year old brother who
becomes mute due to what he has seen. As a result of this crime, the group lead
by H.J. (Ahmad Nurradin) sets on a mission to track down those responsible for
the murder of the popular police officer, as well protecting his little brother
from any further harm.
Together Brothers is a
sympathetic film that explores ghetto life, from various perspectives. On one
end you feel a since of anger for what is seen as a senseless murder, and then
there is a torn feeling of sadness and what is considered fair treatment
towards a human being. When all else fails whom does one depend on for
compassion and safety, their family and or their community? But what if neither
is available?
Together Brothers is not only
a film that provides an intriguing story full of twists and surprises, but a
naturalistic amateur cast. Director William Graham was brilliant for choosing a
group of young, inexperienced actors to
help make this picture more authentic and effective. H.J. (Ahmad Nurradin) offers an engaging mix of
resourcefulness and bravery as the gang's leader and Tommy (Anthony Wilson)
delivers a marvelously expressive turn without any dialogue as the little
brother who witnesses the murder. In addition to the younger cast members,
adult cast members Ed Bernard is both charming and authoritative as the police
officer that the kids secretly admire; and Glynn Turman who although has a
brief role plays a vividly drawn and compelling doctor who tries to lend a helping
hand to the film's ‘hero’. Marking
the first appearance of a transgender person of color in a motion picture, the
character of Billy Most (Lincoln Kilpatrick) is presented as your typical deranged
and “confused” murderer trope-type character. (S)he is essentially viewed by
the neighborhood as a insignificant individual who committed a crime of murder,
seemingly for no reason. Each character in their own unique and clever way draws you
in with their credible and expressive performances.
As one watches this film, you realize that this intense, urban crime drama opens a serious
dialogue regarding self-identity, sexuality, brotherhood, and embracing
childhood even when it is viciously taken. This film, content wise, could even
still be relevant in 2012 as it also addresses issues of police brutality,
class, urbanization, and racial conflict. Even though Together Brothers is
considered a Blaxploitation film it does bend the rules of the typical format
by ushering a challenging
story with characters that are actually allowed to be people instead of one-dimensional, overly-violent
or sexualized caricatures. Imagine a film that truly allows for feelings of
happiness and sadness from real people, here is a film that does just that.
Rating: 8 out of 10 stars
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