
Brothers was theatrically released in the United States on December 4, 2009, to mixed reviews from critics. Despite this, it grossed $43 million against its $26 million production budget and Maguire received widespread acclaim for his performance. At the 67th Golden Globe Awards, the film was nominated for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama for Maguire and Best Original Song for "Winter", performed by U2.
PLOT:
USMC officer Sam Cahill is about to be sent to war in Afghanistan in 2007. He is married to his high school girlfriend Grace, with whom he has two young daughters, Isabelle and Maggie. Sam's younger brother, Tommy, is released from prison on parole after being arrested for armed robbery, just a few days before Sam's departure. At a family dinner with Hank and Elsie, the Cahills' parents, Hank insults Tommy for not understanding his brother's duty and for his criminal past.
During Sam's tour, his helicopter is shot down, and he and Private Joe Willis are the sole survivors. They are taken prisoner by the Taliban, but are declared killed in action by the US government. Upon hearing the news of his brother's presumed death, Tommy berates Grace for letting Sam go to Afghanistan. At Sam's memorial service, Hank attempts to drive Elsie and the girls home while drunk, but Tommy intercepts him. Hank once again berates Tommy, and Tommy accuses Hank of influencing Sam to join the Marines because of his own Vietnam War service.