Brotherhood

First the good: Good production values, photography, etc. The actors did a fine job.

The bad: The story is cut up into a series of flash forward and flashbacks that destroy continuity. If only the whole thing had been told chronologically it would have been much better. And why don't we see the actual cause of the overturned canoe? Cost?

Like a Heritage Minute expanded to ninety, "Brotherhood" just may be the quintessential Canadian film. It is a beautifully shot, carefully paced, charmingly acted, and expertly wardrobed, family fare period piece, right in the wheelhouse of the CBC and NFB. Which also means that it is a little dry, a little too sentimental, and a little too eager to please. But damn it, it is maple leaf red Canadian, and the locals will love it.

Capturing the simple but beautiful landscapes and times of a post First War Kawartha Lakes young men camping adventure, "Brotherhood" is a throwback not only as an historic piece, but also a nod to classic movie making. Strengths and flaws and backgrounds are onion peeled as the scrum navigate boys-to-men, life building skills, culminating in an ultimate weather and water survival test.

Trouble is brewing, that much is clear, as the film flashes forward and back from sunny beach to ominous dark currents. What could have been a groaning plot spoiler, serves as character development whilst navigating a dire circumstance.

Based on fact, "Brotherhood" is good enough to engage in a tragedy for which the ending is no mystery. A little sappy, and a little cliched, it nonetheless entertains, especially to a devout patriotic audience. Perfect for the post Hockey Night in Canada, late Saturday viewing on the small screen.

• hipCRANK

About a group of boys and their adult leaders that has their brotherhood summer training camp in the canadian wilderness, doing activities that shall strengthen the boy into a man.

but accident happens underway, and the film is adrama about that and their fight to survive.

its not a filom that scares the guts out of you, its more the mental battle to overcome their hardships, and the way the plot is put together are not to overwhelming, id rather say boring., but it gives you time to think out strategies to survive, why not turn the canooe, why not use some floating device etc etc.

im grumpy and im old, and think this is a great film for the lame and slain tv viewers, its not good enough to enter the great screening theaters. the story gives opportunities, but the product are slow and motionless. a small recommend

That movie proves that a wonderful movie can be made with a very small budget. All the actors are brilliant. Great rendition of a true story. I just LOVED it! ♥

I've never heard of this tragedy, or of Long Point. I enjoyed the movie, even more after finding out this was filmed in Canada using a lot of Canadian talent. Usually, a few minutes in, I say to myself "This looks Canadian". This was a well-made movie. It was based on a true story, not made to be an action-packed blockbuster. Even the Titanic was a bit of a bore, but it was based on an actual event. Story Telling isn't always edge of your seat viewing.