PhilMAKerr The brothers Jacobson have a relaxed, happy-go-lucky disposition that is ensnarled into a grim entanglement with only sparse, uncomfortable laughter as an inadequate pressure release. The seemingly frugal production - two main roles, one location - fronts what is really a very clever and handsome piece of cinema. The narrative and the visuals are synchronised in a subtle, unrelenting, slow boil. At first it is bicycles and country roads - something of the innocence of youth. At its conclusion it is, well, unfair to say it switches genre. Rather it seduces you into witnessing what traditionally would belong in other more hardcore genres. Fully sick, bro.

jachozn1 Although this film is a far cry from the brothers first film together, that doesn't make an iota of difference for this wonderful film that is entertaining and engaging from the get go. I'm not going to bang on about genre and mood and tone and humour - it's all taken care of with watching the film. Some films you wonder why you sat through it, this one you get to the end without realising the time has passed. A real, gritty, funny and touching film.

manders_steve Shane Jacobson emerged as a seriously reliable performer in film and musical comedy in the last decade here in Australia. Through Kenny, the port-a-loo entrepreneur, the chubby chap that many of us Aussies had enjoyed on the musical stage was brought to broader knowledge. I may have misunderstood the attractions of 'stars' - not just that their role will be convincing, more that their presence says 'This must be OK or I wouldn't have signed up."It's somewhat like that with 'Brothers' Nest', but more so. Shane and his real life big brother Clayton have the relationship in this family muck-up story that cannot be acted - it just has to be innate and honed over decades of brotherly rivalry to work this well. The setting, in a western Victorian farmhouse, shot mostly at dusk, overnight and dawn looks the real deal it is.The story is about family relationships - intense, marginal, commonly held and individual, stemming from not so happy families, divorces, new unions, strengths but mostly weaknesses. It isn't pretty, and if your family isn't like this, you'll probably be thankful, but it really does have a lot to say.It's a small cast, and the two bothers plus Kim Gyngell as their step father leave little space for the others, but all click satisfyingly. They are all believable in their roles.The billing was 'black comedy' but I'd allocate this to the thriller category. Few laughs, personally or in our cinema, and virtually none out loud. But it seriously held my attention.Give it a go - it's good.

jdalgliesh This movie ticks all the boxes for its genre (which, by the way, is the 90% cocoa kind of dark comedy, so don't expect every laugh to be a belly laugh).Clayton Jacobson shines his directorial expertise at a fabulous script and the end result is deliciously fascinating. There are twists and turns that I didn't see coming (and I'm a pretty savvy predictor of plot twists) - yet from the first frame, we know we're in for a dark and unsettling journey. The tension stays high throughout, except when we're let off the hook with an uncomfortable chuckle. But honestly, from the word go you KNOW we're not in a unicorns-and-puppies kind of world here. The character psychology is utterly consistent and beautifully drawn by both screenwriter and cast. The acting is superb - nuanced and brilliantly paced - and the story builds in a hugely satisfying way, with information being revealed at just the right time, every time.Cinematography, art direction, music and editing are all excellent, supporting the overall mood and story with textured layering that does its work almost invisibly, it's so good.I can't wait to see this movie again. Even though a part of me kinda doesn't want to. (Did I mention, it's dark?)Highly recommended.