He obviously wanted to put forth a meaningful film that delved into serious issues revolving around a generation that continues to feel the repercussions of divorce acceptance. From the dialogue we can gather the friends grew up coping with parents fighting, having affairs, divorcing, sibling problems, single parent households, distant or angry parents and loneliness. The Brothers takes four stereotypes from this particular upbringing and shows each of them facing inner turmoil over the past, facing conflicts somewhat head on and reaching a new level of maturation in the end. This is an admirable attempt at teaching tolerance and acceptance of others. However, just when things get too soap-opera mushy, Hardwick throws in tasteless humor and profanity dreadfully reminiscent of films like Friday and Big Momma's House .
Unnecessary profanity does nothing to further the plot along or define characters, really.
In general, the dynamics feel forced and the actors appear uncomfortable in their roles, especially Bill Bellamy who is downright terrible here as a drunk fool. Bellamy shows glimmers of talent during a scene between his character Brian and his mother where he confronts her about not giving her boys enough love growing up. Still, it appears this stand-up comic is pretty stiff in front of the camera, and takes away from the quotient. Women will eat up the sight of shirtless Shemar Moore, who is actually the current Soul Train host and a former cast member of The Young and the Restless . The rest do a pretty good job with the material they were given.