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'The Brothers Grimm': Dark wit, great visuals can't compensate for choppiness

By DAVE LARSEN
Dayton Daily News

The Brothers Grimm boasts an intriguing premise, as well as the perfect director to bring it to life.

But like Hansel and Gretel in the forest, something got lost along the way.

Dimension Films 'The Brothers Grimm' C+ Director: Terry Gilliam Starring: Matt Damon, Heath Ledger, Monica Bellucci, Jonathan Pryce, Lena Headey Release date: August 26, 2005 Rating: PG-13 for violence, frightening sequences and brief suggestive material. See showtimes On the web Official movie site View the trailer    Trailers require Quicktime [an error occurred while processing this directive]

The fantasy action-adventure stars Matt Damon and Heath Ledger as Wilhelm and Jakob Grimm, 19th century German con men who travel the countryside vanquishing monsters, witches and demons for superstitious villagers — for a pricey sum, of course.

Will and Jake, as they're called here, get their comeuppance in an enchanted forest where many young maidens have gone missing.

Forced to contend with a real magical curse — owing to an ancient, evil queen (Monica Bellucci) — the folklore collectors find themselves living one of their fairy tales, with allusions to Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and "Little Red Riding Cape," among others.

The Brothers Grimm is directed by Terry Gilliam, who created the visionary worlds of Brazil, Twelve Monkeys and The Fisher King. Gilliam's films often blend fantasy and reality, so the dark, whimsical adventure would seem ideal for his talents.

The maverick filmmaker also is no stranger to troubled productions. Reportedly, he fought with the Brothers Weinstein — Harvey and Bob, of Miramax fame — over everything from casting to cinematography on The Brothers Grimm, which started filming in 2003.

The result looks great, as one expects of Gilliam. But as far as the story goes, it's hardly the fairest of them all.

The screenplay by Ehren Kruger — whose credits include The Skeleton Key, The Ring and its sequel — has an obvious, calculated feel. It fails to elicit much sympathy for its sibling rivals, with Will personifying rational thought and Jake representing traditional belief.

The story itself is choppy, with a frantic pace and a tone that veers wildly from slapstick humor to gruesome horror.

Damon and Ledger are cast against type, with Damon as a skeptical ladies' man and Ledger as a bookish true believer. It takes both actors a while to find their footing.

Jonathan Pryce and Peter Stormare go outrageously over the top, a la Gilliam's Monty Python troupe, in sinister supporting roles.

Although it's not the film Gilliam's fans hoped it would be, The Brothers Grimm is still fairly fun and entertaining, thanks to the director's dark wit and sense of visual wonder.

The Gothic fable gets off to a rough start, but like a good fairy tale, it draws you in as it approaches its happily-ever-after.