The Brothers McMullen

1995 Comedy Drama

Shot on weekends over an eight-month period with practically no budget, writer/director/producer/actor Edward Burns' first feature is a family drama centering on the tumultuous love lives of three small-town, Irish-American brothers. Burns stars as Barry, the middle child who finds himself needing a place to stay and moves in with big brother Jack (Jack Mulcahy). Despite being seemingly happily married to Molly (Connie Britton), Jack gives in to temptation and begins having a sexual affair. All the while, devout-Catholic baby brother Patrick (Mike McGlone) faces an ongoing struggle to deal with the religious leanings of the women in his life. The Brothers McMullen premiered at the 1995 Sundance Film Festival, where it was at the center of a fierce bidding war.

Director: Edward Burns

Starring: Jack Mulcahy, Mike McGlone,Edward Burns, Connie Britton, Maxine Bahns

 25 Reviews  4 Awards

Reviews

  • Burns has created an endearing gathering of people we all know, and every one of them is so much fun that leaving the theater at the end elicits a touch of regret.

    Peter Stack - The San Francisco Chronicle

    27 April 2013

  • The women's characters are as well drawn as the men's in a splendidly acted film that captures the confusion of love in ways that are ardent, affecting and wonderfully funny.

    Peter Travers - Rolling Stone

    27 April 2013

  • The movie brings into focus how rare religion and spirituality are in American films.

    Roger Ebert - The Chicago Sun-Times

    27 April 2013

  • This meaty Irish stew isn't arty or elliptical. It ought to connect with anyone who's survived sibling tension or romantic fence-sitting.

    Mike Clark - USA Today

    27 April 2013

  • A clever, amiably low-key mix of family drama and romantic comedy.

    Michael Wilmington - The Chicago Tribune

    27 April 2013

Awards

  • Edward Burns

    Deauville Film Festival (1995)

  • Best First Feature

    Independent Spirit Awards (1996)

  • Most Promising Producer in Theatrical Motion Pictures

    PGA Awards (1996)

  • Dramatic

    Sundance Film Festival (1995)

Lists

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