Two Brothers is the story of the separation and eventual reunion of the tiger family of Kumal and Sangha. Taking place in the exquisite jungles, palaces, and temples of Southeast Asia, this animal film is a piece of eye candy if I’ve ever seen one. Assuming the role of intimate spectator, we watch the tiger cubs elegantly mature into magnificent beasts.
The story involves the ill-fated separation of a loving tiger family who has made a home for themselves in ancient temple ruins in the jungle by careless human hunters and excavators. Kumal, the braver of the two cubs, is befriended by hunter Aidan McRory (Guy Pearce), and then becomes a circus act. The shy Sangha is befriended by the governor’s son, young Raoul (Freddie Highmore) and later is turned into a ferocious fighter by the prince’s trainers. The two bros meet a year later, forced to fight each other in a ring as a means of “entertainment” for the villagers-but recognize their kinship and, of course, rekindle their bond.
Brothers is certainly a tearjerker-continually depicting tigers being separated, shot, confined, and abused. The family reunion is a very necessary happy ending. The exotic jungle scenes and striking ancient architecture that paint this family tale places Brothers above and beyond the rest. Pearce‘s character gives us humans some relief from the, at times, tedious animal scenes, with his love interest and character development from animal foe to friend.
The fact that the main characters, Kumal and Sangha, are depicted through their symbolic actions, rather than through human voiceovers, is a remarkable achievement in nature cinematography and storytelling. However, watching the stunning creatures frolic in silence is only entertaining for so long-despite the worthy scenery and flattering soundtrack. We are able to view the vastness of animal life and the harshness of human intrusion into it through the eyes of an endangered animal in this haven for animal lovers. In fact, director Annaud goes so far as to spell out his intention with Brothers-with a message in text at the end of the film about the present danger that we humans pose to these beautiful and loving creatures.
