My Blind Brother
By S. Jhoanna Robledo,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Dramedy about adult siblings has language, drinking.
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My Blind Brother
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What's the Story?
In MY BLIND BRoTHER, Robbie (Adam Scott), who's blind, devotes much of his time to competing in endurance sports to raise money for charities that support the disabled. He's helped by Bill (Nick Kroll), his brother and long-suffering training partner. But Bill is starting to tire of living in Robbie's shadow, and their conflict gets even more contentious when they both fall for Rose (Jenny Slate).
Is It Any Good?
This romantic dramedy owes a big debt of gratitude to its three stars (Slate, Scott, and Kroll), who elevate the movie from being "pretty entertaining but forgettable" to "charming." Slate has a particularly difficult job: Rose is saddled with insecurities and self-scorn, which lead to more bad choices. But even though her decisions, which stem from pity, may seem specific to her situation (her need to rescue, when what she really needs is to figure out a way to save herself), they have a universal quality that means other self-doubters in the audience will empathize.
Scott and Kroll's chemistry works to elevate the film's sometimes dreary and mean material into a study of sibling-hood and duty, a complex relationship that's laden with guilt. It's actually kind of strange, that despite its complicated examinations of human nature, My Blind Brother still feels superficial -- it's a meditative comedy without the depth to adequately mine its potential.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how My Blind Brother portrays the sibling relationship. Is it relatable? Realistic? Do Bill and Robbie's parents treat them differently? Why?
What does the movie say about living with a disability? How is Robbie's life shaped by his blindness? What about Bill's?
How does the movie depict drinking and drug use? Do they have consequences? Why does that matter?
Movie Details
- In theaters: September 23, 2016
- On DVD or streaming: November 1, 2016
- Cast: Adam Scott, Nick Kroll, Jenny Slate
- Director: Sophie Goodhart
- Studio: Starz Media
- Genre: Comedy
- Topics: Brothers and Sisters, Friendship
- Run time: 90 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: language, some sexuality and drug use
- Last updated: April 5, 2023
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