Three brothers, as different as night and day, are reunited when Pete, the one that has left the place where he grew up, is summoned. The reason is to make him aware that their brutish father, has left him the seedy cabin that has seen better days. Rick, the older brother, has stayed behind and takes care of the younger sibling, Norman, who appears to be slow. Rick and Pete fight, while Norman looks, unable to do much. Rick and Norman live in extreme poverty, which doesn't prevent them for drinking the beer they have put on a stream nearby to keep cool.
The mysterious disappearance of the father, and a revelation prove to much for Pete. Rick, is the key to unravel the enigma about a low life father that was a drunk, a thief, and a womanizer. This older man that should have known better was instrumental in the way his sons turned out. The horrifying ending leaves the viewer stunned.
Paul Kampf, who wrote the screenplay of "Brothers Three: An American Gothic" was making his directorial debut. His use of the flashbacks does not add anything to the narrative, in fact, one could say it muddles the story. There is not too much logic in the way these children turned out, but then again, who can assure how the sons of a man that shows no redeeming qualities will go through life. For a moment we thought the film was based on a theatrical play because of the single set and the acting, but evidently this was a work made directly for the screen.
What Mr. Kampf accomplished was to gather a first rate cast, but alas, they have not much to say. Patrick Wilson continues to wow audiences with his intelligent take of the confused son that comes back to his birthplace to find it in ruins. Neal McDonough is terrific as Rick, who carries a heavy burden in his soul; he gives a fine performance. Scott Michael Campbell is also good as Norman. John Heard is always reliable to deliver, as he does with his take of the horrible father he was.
The mysterious disappearance of the father, and a revelation prove to much for Pete. Rick, is the key to unravel the enigma about a low life father that was a drunk, a thief, and a womanizer. This older man that should have known better was instrumental in the way his sons turned out. The horrifying ending leaves the viewer stunned.
Paul Kampf, who wrote the screenplay of "Brothers Three: An American Gothic" was making his directorial debut. His use of the flashbacks does not add anything to the narrative, in fact, one could say it muddles the story. There is not too much logic in the way these children turned out, but then again, who can assure how the sons of a man that shows no redeeming qualities will go through life. For a moment we thought the film was based on a theatrical play because of the single set and the acting, but evidently this was a work made directly for the screen.
What Mr. Kampf accomplished was to gather a first rate cast, but alas, they have not much to say. Patrick Wilson continues to wow audiences with his intelligent take of the confused son that comes back to his birthplace to find it in ruins. Neal McDonough is terrific as Rick, who carries a heavy burden in his soul; he gives a fine performance. Scott Michael Campbell is also good as Norman. John Heard is always reliable to deliver, as he does with his take of the horrible father he was.