Brother Verses Brother (dir. Ari Gold)
By: Adam Freed
Musical twins Ari and Ethan Gold share far more than their genetic bond. Born only a few minutes apart, the co-writers of the experimental film Brother Verses Brother seem to be quite adept at both loving and loathing one another in ways that only twins can. What binds “The Brothers Gold” on their wandering musical voyage through San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood is director Ari’s desire to share with the world the instrumental and vocal gifts bestowed upon his brother Ethan. Brother Verses Brother is innovatively captured in a single shot across a 90 minute therapeutic experiment that unearths anxiety, regret, duty to family, and ultimately the dented yet unbreakable bond manifested by their playful and soulful musical performances.
Gold’s film feels very much the spiritual cousin to John Carney’s Once (2006), sans the polish and clarity of musical revelation. Brother Verses Brother is less of a metamorphosis and more of an introspective glance into the duty that twins have for one another, and for their 99 year old father, who is the cause of much of their consternation. The film opens with a quick duet in a quiet alley that sets the cadence for the film delightfully. It is with toe tapping joy that most musically inclined audiences will find themselves tagging along on the meandering journey. Also playing a key role in the film are the people of San Francisco, most of whom likely had no idea that as they sat and enjoyed a beer, or made their way through the streets of the coastal metropolis, were being included in the adventure.
From song to song, and bar to bar, The Brothers Gold turn the pages of audience understanding as to the root of their strife. From Ethan’s wavering mental health as a result of a brain injury, to Ari’s constant desire for female companionship, there is plenty of painful reality that dots their shared journey. Much like a needed conversation with a trusted ally, Brother Verses Brother carries with it a therapeutic and necessary component. The experimental style will work for some, and ultimately alienate others. The constant motion of the film, characters and camera provide a reminder that the story is indeed going somewhere. There is a final destination that needs to be reached. Ari Gold’s film eventually culminates with a salient and worthwhile conclusion, one that holds a mirror to the realities of aging, family and the ever-present sparkle of possibility.
Target Score 7.5/10 - Twin brothers Ari and Ethan Gold meander through the streets of San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood in search of venues to perform their soulful and engaging brand of music. Shot entirely in one take, the constant fluidity and motion of the musical film gives it a sense of propulsion. Although there are few concrete resolutions offered within, Brother Verses Brother provides no shortage of food for thought.