Josh Brolin and Peter Dinklage in a Hilarious Unexpected Comedy

If it weren't for Thursday Night Football, I might've never discovered my favorite comedy of 2024. A quick commercial during the game, promoting a new comedy available with an Amazon Prime Video subscription, revealed Peter Dinklage and Josh Brolin as the stars. Intrigued, I watched it after the game and was shocked at how little buzz "Brothers" was generating. This movie, from Etan Cohen (Tropic Thunder and Idiocracy), is a streaming treasure waiting to be discovered.

Unexpected comedic brilliance from dramatic actors

I was surprised to see James Brolin and Peter Dinklage in a comedy. While both have shown comedic chops before—Dinklage in Elf, Brolin in Deadpool 2—it's a departure from their often dramatic roles. Seeing them be obscene and over-the-top, after their serious performances as Tyrion Lannister and Cable respectively, is unexpectedly hilarious. The contrast between their dramatic past roles and this comedic performance is striking, making their comedic timing even more effective.

A Brotherly Bond

The performances are brilliant because the sibling bond feels entirely believable. The film hinges on this relationship, with Dinklage as the scheming Jady and Brolin as the slightly dim-witted but loving Moke. Jady follows in their mother's footsteps with elaborate schemes, while Moke, despite trying to live an honest life, gets pulled into his brother's antics out of love for his family. Their chemistry is infectious and will immediately draw viewers into the story.

A Stellar Supporting Cast Elevates the Humor

Josh Brolin and Peter Dinklage carry the film, but the supporting cast is equally impressive. Glenn Close plays their eccentric mother, Cath, delivering a performance that blends elements of her roles in 101 Dalmatians and Hillbilly Elegy. Brendan Fraser, selective in his roles since The Whale, shines as the manic Officer Farful, contributing to some of the film's funniest moments. Taylour Paige as the supportive housewife and Marisa Tomei's surprisingly wild character also deserve praise. Tomei's role is vastly different from her past maternal roles, showcasing a surprising versatility.

A Comedy that Deserves More Recognition

In my opinion, Brothers is the best comedy of 2024, surpassing even Ricky Stanicky (which I rated a 4.5 out of 5, a full star higher than the official review). While Ricky Stanicky is great, Brothers simply surpasses it in every way. The only downside is the lack of a theatrical release. This movie deserves to be seen on a bigger screen; its comedic brilliance and charming performances would've made for a successful run in theaters. However, word of mouth is starting to build, and hopefully this film will gain the cult following it truly deserves. It’s easy to access; all you need is a Prime Video subscription. But be careful not to confuse it with the Jake Gyllenhaal and Tobey Maguire movie of the same name – they are vastly different! Watching Brothers is a must, and I don't think any other 2024 comedy will top it. Hopefully, the film’s success on streaming will lead to more recognition and future projects.