Writer: Mohd Johan Arif

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Watch this if you liked: "Mission: Impossible", “Oceans” trilogy

"The Brothers Bloom" is a 2009 American heist film revolving around the Brothers Bloom, whom are the best con men in the world, cheating millionaires with complex scenarios of lust and intrigue. Now they've decided to take on one last job - showing a beautiful and eccentric heiress the time of her life in a romantic adventure that takes them around the world.

The movie however, sceptically takes almost the same spin as Brian De Palma and Tom Cruise's 1996 "Mission: Impossible." There's the mission, after that the killing, then there are the numerous plot twists which sees the reappearance of characters who was supposed to be dead earlier! Suspiciously, the movie also uses Prague as a location for the gang member's mission just like in "Mission: Impossible."

The film takes on a style that can be close to what we call 'steampunk'. That kind of genre features gadgets, accessories or vehicles from the 18th or 19th century but adds 20th or 21st century technology as well. For example like the 1999 film "Wild Wild West" starring Will Smith. However, "The Brothers Bloom" reflects 'steampunk' in a different way by having the protagonists wear 19th century clothing, vehicles and go to whereabouts that look like they're in the 19th century but the movie's setting is the 21st century. It was amusing yet awkward to see a Lamborghini come into the picture.

"The Brothers Bloom"'s 'steam-punk' influence can actually confuse audiences because throughout the film, the brothers, their gang and some of the villains were the only people that look like they were from the 19th century, but the rest of the world did not. Audiences would have a hard time figuring out what timeline they are in and why in the world are they wearing clothes that are from an outdated trend.

Similarities also busts into its storyline that is almost identical to its rival from the same genre, which is the popular "Oceans" trilogy. The only difference is that they put a woman for the objective of their missions and despite being a film about con men, the film did not have a satisfying amount of cons in it but just conning methods that are repetitive throughout the film. The objective of their missions is also 'been there, conned that.'

Cinema Online, 03 June 2009