Four Brothers Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Four brothers, who are not biologically related, team up to avenge their mother’s death by engaging in car chases, shootouts, and questionable interrogation tactics, all while trying to ignore their personal issues.

🍿 Four Brothers: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Murder of Evelyn Mercer

In Detroit, Evelyn Mercer, a beloved elderly woman who fostered four troubled boys, is murdered during a convenience store robbery. This tragic event brings her adopted sons – Bobby, Angel, Jeremiah, and Jack – back to the city after years of separation. The brothers, each with their own unique backgrounds and issues, are deeply affected by their mother’s death.

The Brothers’ Investigation

Disheartened by the apparent lack of progress in the police investigation and suspecting foul play, the Mercer brothers decide to take matters into their own hands. They begin their own investigation, delving into Detroit’s criminal underworld, uncovering a web of corruption and deceit. Their methods often clash with the law, reflecting their troubled pasts and volatile personalities.

Unraveling the Conspiracy

As the brothers dig deeper, they discover that their mother’s death was not a random act of violence but a carefully orchestrated hit connected to local crime boss Victor Sweet and corrupt city officials. They encounter obstacles and dangers at every turn, facing violent confrontations and betrayals as they get closer to the truth. The brothers must rely on each other’s strengths to navigate this dangerous landscape.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Bobby Mercer (Mark Wahlberg): The hot-headed and reckless oldest brother who returns to Detroit seeking vengeance for his mother’s death.
• Angel Mercer (Tyrese Gibson): The smooth-talking, street-smart brother who uses his connections to aid in their pursuit of justice.
• Jeremiah Mercer (André 3000): The reformed, level-headed brother whose past entanglements trigger the conflict and investigation.
• Jack Mercer (Garrett Hedlund): The rebellious youngest brother whose troubled past and musical aspirations often put him at odds with his family.
• Lt. Green (Terrence Howard): The conflicted police officer caught between his loyalty to the law and his friendship with the Mercer brothers.
• Victor Sweet (Chiwetel Ejiofor): The ruthless and influential crime boss who is responsible for the death of the brothers’ mother.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Bobby: “The popos is here! Ya’ll better run, man, these white cops are crazy! They killed Cornbread! They killed him – he didn’t do nothin’!” – Bobby mockingly imitates a teenage girl to express his distrust of the police, highlighting the racial tensions in the film.
• Bobby: “Thank God? You killed my mother and my brother. Thank Victor Sweet.” – Said in cold rage to the mortally wounded driver of the van after their brother Jack was murdered, showing the brutal justice the brothers seek.
• Bobby: “Thinkin’ about it, Ma. Thinkin’ about it.” – Bobby’s response to the vision of his mother at the end, signifying his intention to stay in Detroit and continue his family’s legacy.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $45,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $74,494,381
• Worldwide Gross: $92,374,674

💥 Four Brothers Reviews

Personal Review

I really enjoyed ‘Four Brothers’ the first time I watched it. It is an old-fashioned revenge movie, but with modern flare. The car chase on the frozen river was insane, and the final showdown was satisfying. However, after some time to process, I am sad that John Singleton took it in the direction that he did. The ending was very emotional for all of the wrong reasons.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of action-crime dramas”
  • “Viewers who enjoy ensemble casts”
  • “Those interested in stories about family loyalty and revenge”
  • “Fans of Mark Wahlberg, Tyrese Gibson, and Andre Benjamin”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Drug use”
  • “Suggestive content”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Singleton delivers a gritty, urban western with solid performances and impressive action sequences, though the plot occasionally veers into cliché territory. The film’s strength lies in the believable bond between the brothers.
• Entertainment Weekly: “Despite its formulaic revenge plot, Four Brothers is surprisingly entertaining, thanks to the strong cast and Singleton’s energetic direction. The film’s exploration of brotherhood and loyalty adds a layer of emotional depth.
• The New York Times: “The film is a stylish but predictable action flick that relies heavily on violence and clichés. Although the cast tries its best, the script lacks originality and depth, making for a somewhat forgettable experience.

Audience Reactions

The chemistry between the brothers felt genuine and made the movie engaging.: Viewers praised the realistic portrayal of brotherhood and family loyalty.

The action scenes were intense and well-choreographed, especially the car chase.: The film’s action sequences were generally considered to be exciting and suspenseful.

Overall Consensus: Four Brothers is a decent but forgettable action movie with a strong cast and believable character dynamics, but suffers from a predictable plot and reliance on genre clichés.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Mark Wahlberg was the first actor to sign onto the project, drawn to the script’s blend of action, drama, and humor.”
• “John Singleton aimed to create a film with a ‘western edge,’ drawing inspiration from classic westerns in its themes of revenge and justice.”
• “Almost all of Mark Wahlberg’s lines were improvised, adding a layer of authenticity to his character, Bobby Mercer.”

🖥️ How to Watch Four Brothers?

Four Brothers is available for streaming rental or purchase on platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local cable provider for on-demand options. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray are also widely available.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Four Brothers, you might like these similar films:

• The Sons of Katie Elder (1965): Classic western about four brothers who return home after their mother’s death and seek revenge, directly inspiring ‘Four Brothers’.
• Death Wish (1974): Explores themes of vigilante justice and one man’s quest for revenge after his wife is murdered, similar to the brothers’ path.
• Training Day (2001): Features a gritty, realistic portrayal of crime and corruption in urban Los Angeles, similar to the atmosphere of Detroit in ‘Four Brothers’.
• Faster (2010): A more modern action film centered around one man seeking vengeance for his brother’s death, resonating with the core theme of ‘Four Brothers’.

🛒 Four Brothers Related Products

• Four Brothers (Blu-ray): Own the movie in high definition with bonus features and behind-the-scenes footage.
• Mark Wahlberg Autographed Four Brothers Movie Poster: A limited edition movie poster autographed by Mark Wahlberg.
• Official Four Brothers T-Shirt: Show your love for the movie with this high-quality t-shirt featuring the movie’s logo or iconic scenes.
• The Sons of Katie Elder (1965) – DVD: The movie that served as the inspiration for Four Brothers

🎧 Soundtrack

Four Brothers features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Somebody to Love” – performed by Jefferson Airplane
• “Lift Every Voice and Sing” – performed by Melba Moore
• “I Can’t Stand the Rain” – performed by Ann Peebles
• “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” – performed by John Lennon

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

What Happened In FOUR BROTHERS??! (2005) PRIMM’S HOOD CINEMA

Dive into a quick recap of ‘Four Brothers’ (2005) and relive the action-packed journey of the adopted brothers seeking revenge.

✨ Rate