April 2002 The Other Brother

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Reviewed by Wilson Morales The Other Brother Distributor: Xenon Pictures Director: Mandel Holland Writer: Mandel Holland Producer: Mandel Holland Cast: Mekhi Phifer, Tangi Miller, Andre Blake, Michele Morgan, Regina Hall In some cases, it's hard to be two-of-a-kind. Nothing can be the same, especially in family relationships. Some brothers and sisters don't get along. Sometimes one does the opposite just so he or she doesn't get compared to the other. In Xenon Pictures'first theatrical release, "The Other Brother" is a film that has a familiar theme, though it has scattershot chuckles and lacks some flair and charisma. Martin and Junie are brothers with different personalities. When Martin breaks up with his girlfriend due to some ill-time sequence, he gets very depressed. So heartbroken Martin is, he hasn't dated in well over a year. Junie is a hard core player, never the settle down type. He's constantly on the prowl for some new love. In a quest to help his little brother, Junie offers to show Martin the trade of picking up girls. After some reluctance and a failed attempt to land a girl on his own, Martin decides to let Junie to teach him some new moves. A change in clothes and a new attitude seems to do him some good. Martin becomes a new man, picking up women with ease. Though the woman he really wants may not wish for the new personality he's developed, it's difficult for Martin to go back being the person he was. Although Mandel Holland's first film shows some promise, it's a bit underdeveloped and unfinished. Secondary characters come and go with no closure. Mekhi Phifer's character is too bland. He doesn't do enough to make one have compassion for him. Andre Blake steals the film as the older brother who thinks he's god's gift to women. He's funny and has some charisma but he too is left to be one-dimensional. Some of the cinematography is of poor quality. The inside of some scenes is too dimmed. A few extra minutes could have left the film with a better product and better conclusion. A film about family and relationships should examine the issue and explore it with reason possibilities, not leave it unanswered.