REVIEW: Brothers’ Nest falls from the tree for Shane Jacobson and ain’t no Kenny, that’s for sure

BROTHERS’ Nest marks a big step down in quality, execution and direct audience appeal for the team that gave us the classic Australian crowd-pleaser Kenny.

FIRST, the good news about Brothers’ Nest.

It is a clear cut above those two flaming shoeboxes Shane Jacobson has already left on the front doorstep of local cinemas this year (The BBQ, That’s Not My Dog).

Now for the bad news. Brothers’ Nest marks a big step down in quality, execution and direct audience appeal for filmmaker Clayton Jacobson from his first feature, the classic Australian crowd-pleaser Kenny.

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Shane and Clayton Jacobson.

The Jacobsons also take the lead roles in this slow-to-no-burning thriller, playing desperate siblings scheming to nab top spot in the will of their dying mum.

Jeff (a passable effort from Clayton, a relative rookie as an actor) is the brains of this outfit, having put a lot of pre-strategic and post-forensic thought into how their debut crime will play out.

Terry (an understated display from Shane, arguably too much so) functions as both the conscience and utility labourer of the team.

While Terry is definitely a bit slow on the uptake, he does still possess a moral compass in areas that his bossy bro does not.

Anyway, all this dire-namic duo have to do is rub out their stepdad, and their ma’s rustic rural pad is theirs.

Sounds a mildly promising set-up, right? Wrong.

It’s a “slow-to-no-burning thriller”.

The first half of the movie is so markedly, lethargically uncinematic, it would barely pass muster as a radio play.

All you get for 40 minutes of your precious time is two burly bearded blokes shuffling about in a butt-ugly farmhouse, with a lot of exposition to get off their guts.

Honestly, there is so much backstory front-loaded on to Brothers’ Nest, it really should have been set at the chiropractor’s.

Things marginally improve once the would-be killers start stuffing up their plan.

Brothers' Nest is a step down from the Aussie classic Kenny.

When wily support players Kim Gyngell (as the stepdad who has a date with an electrical device thrown into a bathtub) and Lynette Curran (as the mum who has had it up to here with her two loser lads) finally come along, the movie finally comes alive for a few fleeting minutes.

However, their willing contributions (and the wavering contributions of the two leads) are all in service of a howler of an ending that is 90% whimper, 10% bang.

BROTHERS’ NEST (MA15+)

Rating: Two stars (2 out of 5)

Director: Clayton Jacobson (Kenny)

Starring: Shane Jacobson, Clayton Jacobson, Kim Gyngell, Lynette Curran.

The bird has flown …