Four Brothers is a gritty and action-packed crime thriller that tells the story of four adopted brothers who reunite to seek justice for the murder of their adoptive mother. Directed by John Singleton, the film is a modern Western set in the harsh urban landscape of Detroit, where loyalty, family, and a sense of street justice are the only things that matter.
The movie begins with the shocking murder of Evelyn Mercer, a kind-hearted woman who, despite having no children of her own, took in four troubled boys from different backgrounds and raised them as a family. The news of her death, which is initially dismissed as a random robbery gone wrong, brings her four now-grown sons back to their hometown for her funeral. The boys are vastly different from one another, but their love for their mother and their shared history bind them together.
The oldest, Bobby Mercer (Mark Wahlberg), is a hot-headed ex-con who has a talent for violence. He’s the undisputed leader of the group, driven by a raw, unyielding need for revenge. Next is Angel Mercer (Tyrese Gibson), a slick-talking hustler who has a knack for getting into and out of trouble. He’s the most outwardly emotional of the group, and his grief is often expressed through explosive anger. Then there's Jeremiah Mercer (André 3000), a family man who has tried to leave his criminal past behind for a more legitimate life. He’s the voice of reason, constantly trying to de-escalate situations and find a solution that doesn’t involve more violence. Finally, there's Jack Mercer (Garrett Hedlund), the youngest of the brothers, a sensitive and aspiring musician who carries the weight of a secret.
As the brothers reunite, they begin to suspect that their mother's death was not a random act of violence. Their informal investigation leads them down a dangerous path, as they uncover a web of corruption, conspiracy, and betrayal that reaches into the highest levels of the city's criminal underworld. The brothers must put aside their differences and use their unique skills—from Bobby's brute force to Jeremiah's street smarts—to find the truth and confront the powerful forces that are trying to stop them.
The film is a non-stop thrill ride, with a number of intense and visceral action sequences. But at its core, Four Brothers is a story about the power of family, not just by blood, but by bond. The movie explores the idea that family is not something you are born into, but something you create and fight for. The film’s raw, unflinching portrayal of violence and its themes of retribution and justice make it a compelling and engaging watch. It's a modern crime saga that stands out for its well-drawn characters and its powerful emotional core.
Four Brothers is a 2005 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 49 minutes.
It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8 and a MetaScore of 49.
