Grade: A

The film Brotherhood hits theaters this weekend, and even though it’s one you’ll have to head to the Angelika to check out, it’s worth the few extra miles you’ll have to trek. Brotherhood is a film about a Fraternity initiation gone incredibly wrong. Proving poor decision making by the characters on screen is like an intense car crash you cant look away from.

From the get go this feel keeps a quick pace, never muddling around, keeping the audience engaged and interested. A large part of that is the fantastic directing and editing by Will and his crew. We are introduced to our characters and right away we get a sense of who each guy is.

Jon Foster takes a step left of center playing Frank who may just be the biggest jerk on the planet. Quite the stretch if you’ve ever met Jon. Plenty of time’s I was thinking wow someone should punch that guy in the face. But at the same time I understand why no one wanted to try. Trevor Morgan was the perfect pick for Adam, the one guy in the frat house with some sense of morals. We cant forget about Lou Taylor Pucci as Kevin. His character didn’t have the most lines of the film, but at the end of the day it doesn’t matter, because it’s his character you’re the most concerned about during the duration of the film.

I found myself quite conflicted watching the events unfold on screen. On one hand I know they are making stupid wrong decisions. On the other hand I found myself curious if they could pull everything off and get out scott free. It’s a strange feeling pulling for those you know are in the wrong. It’s almost like rooting for the bad guy. But you’re rooting for the bad guy in hopes they will pull a 180 do the right thing.

Possibly the best moment in the film is the climatic end, with one heck of a twist that smacks you in the face. I don’t have any hesitation saying this film is one of the must see movies of 2011. It’s a suspenseful, intense ride, from start to finish, and I loved it.

-Rachel Parker