Keith Fulton and Louis Pepe (LOST IN LA MANCHA) mark an extraordinary narrative debut with this faux documentary about Siamese twin punk rockers in the early 1970s. Stunning photography by Anthony Dod Mantle, which occasionally borders on the abstract, augments a story already rife with dramatic potential, which was based on the novel by Brian Aldiss. Recalling Alan Clarke's iconic Sex Pistols biopic SID AND NANCY in its grittiness and the volatile relationship at its core, BROTHERS OF THE HEAD centers on Tom and Barry Howe (real-life twins Harry and Luke Treadaway). Siamese twins recruited at a young age by a sleazy producer, the twins are groomed for a stardom which will inevitably become their downfall. Barry's innate nihilism and anger make him the ideal frontman for the band, while Tom studiously learns the guitar from a bandmate (Bryan Dick). But the brothers' dalliances with drugs, girls, and fame, added to the psychological power struggles already at work between them, eventually put them on the road to destruction. Equal parts homage to rock 'n roll and an insightful character study of a complex relationship, the film fascinates while not taking itself too seriously: Ken Russell's unfinished biopic of the boys is particularly hilarious. The excellent soundtrack of original music by Clive Langer (ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS), actually played by the actors onscreen, tops off this impressive work.
Theatrical Release: July 28, 2006
DVD Features:
Full Frame - 1.33
Widescreen - 1.85
Featured
Ken Russell: Director/Screenwriter/Prod.
Source Writer
Brian Aldiss: British Sci-Fi Novelist
Director of Photography
Anthony Dod Mantle: Director of Photography
Review 1:
"This is a fake documentary that barely lets on that it's fiction....[T]he Howe brothers are brilliantly portrayed by the real-life identical twin brothers Harry and Luke Treadaway..."
Source: Ultimate DVD
p.E3 07/28/2006
Review 2:
3 stars out of 5 -- "[A]n eccentric mockumentary....The Treadaways and Tania Emery, as the journalist whose affections tragically drive a wedge between the twins, are strong."
Source: Total Film
p.38 10/01/2006
Review 3:
"Real-life brothers Luke and Harry Treadaway give remarkable performances as the tormented singers..."
Source: Movieline's Hollywood Life
p.103 07/21/2006
Review 4:
3 stars out of 5 -- "[R]oaming and complicated, involving doomed love affairs and powerful performances shot documentary-style....It's impressive..."
Source: Box Office
p.38 08/01/2006