Brothers Review: Matthew McConaughey And Woody Harrelson's Charms Go To Waste In A Comedy Lacking Laughs And Purpose

Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, two A-listers with bipartisan appeal, star in Brothers, an Apple TV comedy set in Texas. The duo, who are longtime best friends and occasionally co-workers, play exaggerated versions of themselves as brothers. Brothers is described as disjointed but breezy, with the chemistry between the leads being the main source of entertainment.

The show's premise revolves around a rumored genetic connection between the stars, as well as various family dynamics. While the storyline of the brothers potentially being related is a central mystery, the plot becomes overly complicated with multiple subplots involving Joy, Matthew's wife, and a subplot involving two old-time crooks.

The most effective parts of the show come from the buddy-comedy elements, such as the characters' outrageous disguises and absurd situations. The series also touches on McConaughey's political ambitions and Harrelson's free-thinking hippie persona. Ultimately, Brothers is more successful as a vehicle for the leads' personalities and chemistry than as a cohesive narrative.