The Brothers Bloom

This is an excellent example of smart, fun, captivating story-telling by yet another independent production company. Hats off to Rian Johnson who wrote and directed this delightful melodramatic dark comedy.

Adrien Brody and Mark Ruffalo play brothers who make their way in the world as con men. Rufflalo's character loves the hunt but Brody's character, Bloom, wants out. Sounds vaguely familiar? I was worried this was going to be an updated version of "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" but it was very fresh and not even close to the same story.

Rachel Weisz plays the con team's last mark and in the end everyone gets what they want. The best con of all.

Beautifully photographed all over Eastern Europe the director makes very creative use of light and shadow. Nicely done Mr. Johnson.

Don't expect this to be a romantic comedy. There are elements of both, but the comedy does not come from the romance or vice versa. This is first and foremost a drama as two 30-something misfits struggle to make their own place in the world.

Unlike so many stories lately with no characters to like or even relate to, this story has a relatively small cast and every one of them is interesting and fun to watch.

And when was the last time you came away from a movie with a handful of fun one-liners?

"You are constipated deep down in your soul" and "Your smile is the sunshine which fallen men need to see" are just a couple of fun paraphrases.

Watch this movie with someone who loves the unexpected.