The Brothers Solomon

The Brothers Solomon (2007)

Genres - Comedy, Family & Personal Relationships  |   Sub-Genres - Absurd Comedy, Farce  |   Release Date - Sep 7, 2007 (USA)  |   Run Time - 93 min.  |   Countries - United States  |   MPAA Rating - R
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Review by Derek Armstrong

Consistently one of the most sublime (yet underappreciated) performers of his generation on Saturday Night Live, Will Forte doesn't prove nearly so successful with his own material. The Brothers Solomon was his brainchild, though it's irresponsible to suggest that anything about this film is brainy. Focused on the idea that two idiotic brothers will help their father (an underutilized Lee Majors) pull through a coma if only they can provide him a grandchild, The Brothers Solomon hauls out every hair-brained notion how to do that, even when (especially when) it doesn't make a bit of sense. It's supposed to be funny that they're endangering him further by caring for him on the cheap in their apartment, using life-support equipment they don't have the foggiest idea how to operate, but this is just one of many ludicrous scenarios the viewer has no interest in accepting. Perhaps the biggest misstep is the casting of Will Arnett, whose post-Arrested Development career has been so disappointing -- featuring such lowlights as Let's Go to Prison!, also helmed by Bob Odenkirk -- in part because of his inescapable smarm factor. That character trait worked well when he was playing GOB, but his reprehensibility alienates viewers when they are trying to sympathize with him, and here, it actually curdles Forte's natural sweetness. It's impossible to believe that their neighbor (Malin Akerman) would possess the otherworldly patience to even endure them, let alone eventually (and predictably) fall for Arnett's character. Couldn't she have at least gone for Forte? SNL buddies Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader gamely try to help Forte out, but the concept for this extended skit wouldn't even be good enough for the 12:55 p.m. slot on their show.