Yes, it's true that Matthew McConaughey's mother, Kay McConaughey, has said that she, ahem, knew Woody Harrelson's father, Charles Harrelson, leading to speculation that both actors might just share the same father. And yes, Woody, during interviews, has mentioned that he doesn't mind taking a DNA test to confirm the suspicion, but Matthew isn't interested. In a sense (though for a very different reason), I think I, too, am on Matthew's side. Why does any of it really matter? This is merely news worthy of disposable tabloid gossip. Whether Kay was intimate with Charles is her and her family's personal matter. Why should it be of any interest to us? With Brothers, it's possible that Matthew and Woody also want to say that the exact biological details are of little interest to them because they already consider each other brothers. On the other hand, Matthew and Woody are actors as well, and if a streaming service is willing to offer them money to convert a rumor/speculation into a series for its platform, why wouldn't they accept the easy paycheck?
I mean, it seems evident that Woody and Matthew enjoy each other's company. Why, then, would they say no to a job where they are being paid to hang out together? Heck, isn't it kind of a dream job? Play with your friend all day and then walk away with plenty of moolah? The real fools in this scenario might actually be the fans and the media, who, I guess, showed so much excitement around the gossip that the two actors found an opportunity to profit from the public's interest. And Brothers ensures that it keeps these very fans titillated just enough to keep them interested throughout its eight-episode run, which, rather weirdly, will be released weekly (one episode per week). Maybe this is another profitable strategy to exploit these gossip-seekers as much as possible: keep them anticipating each episode and let their theories keep the show relevant for weeks before its conclusion. Brothers is a nice business strategy in that respect. What about as a TV show? Well, it's... fine, okayish, watchable.
It's yet another iteration of a "look, they're just like us" story with a comedic flavor. Matthew and Woody screw up their Valentine's gifts for their respective wives, can be a bit like helicopter parents, and feel insecure about being fathers. They also play pranks, do their own shopping, do their own chores (there are no maids around), and try to teach their kids the value of hard work. At the same time, they don't mind using their fame for an ego massage, which is something they do after flopping hard at a café while posing as unknown singers. The show also pokes fun at their star aura by saying that they might have fame, but that doesn't mean they have knowledge about, say, government laws, or possess the power to use their charisma to win a losing battle. "Look, these actors know how to take a joke at their own expense," Brothers declares with enthusiasm. If you're already roping in fans seeking sensationalism, why not take the opportunity to also do a little bit of PR-related work? We seriously need to stop salivating over movie stars. Start judging them purely on the basis of their work, and it's likely we won't get to watch shows and movies quenching the thirst of Redditors and tabloid newspapers—the kind that secretly take pictures of celebrities by hiding underwater, which is something that happens in Brothers.
I don't want to sound bitchy, but there is simply too much mediocrity around. Nonetheless, it would be unfair of me if I didn't tell you that Brothers manages to hit you with some decent jokes. I would treat them as spoilers because they are the sole virtue of this show. No, don't put too much hope in the "Are they really brothers?" plot. The way it's all handled is slightly dramatic and does provide you with a concrete yes/no answer (a yes or no that exists in this fictional universe), but the final resolution is so mild, casual, and expected that it all ceases to matter. There is one thing—or rather one person—though that really matters, and it's Ma Mac's character. She steals the spotlight from everyone else through her hilarious one-line comments and observations. Holland Taylor, in this role, is simply all kinds of perfect. At 83, she displays a comic spirit and a youthful vigor that surpasses any joke she is asked to deliver. As far as I am concerned, Taylor is the real star of Brothers. If you want to watch the show, watch it for her. A character in the end says that he has no energy for a franchise, but if anyone wants to make a spinoff, place Ma Mac at the center. Oh, I already have a title in mind. How about Mischievous Mother? And if anyone wants to go one step further and truly appreciate Taylor, they can also add a subtitle. My pick? Age Is Just a Number.
Final Score - [5/10]
Reviewed by - Vikas Yadav
Follow @vikasonorous on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times