My Brother Simple, based on the novel by Marie-Aude Murail - 8.4 out of 10

My Brother Simple, based on the novel by Marie-Aude Murail
8.4 out of 10


The intentions of the makers of Simpel are surely noteworthy.
And this is not the 'hell is paved with good intentions' scenario.

On a few levels, the motion picture works.
It is emotional, though provoking, educational and sensitive.

It can nevertheless come across as pathetic, at least in parts.
David Cross is remarkable as the hero, the Simple Simpel.

The formidable actor has demonstrated his stature in The Reader - reviewed at realini.blogspot.com.
One way to describe Simpel Barnabas is to say he is The Simple Brother.

The politically correct form might be to say he is mentally challenged.
As for the medical condition, we learn from this brother that he had not had enough oxygen for his brain, at birth, and therefore he does not understand many things.

Ben is the 'able' brother, who has taken care of Simpel from the start.
When their mother dies, the situation is changed dramatically.

For on top of the trauma of this major tragedy, explained to a certain extent through the prospect that the parent would meet Jesus and enjoy heaven, there is another calamity waiting.
There is a court order now, which states that Simpel has to be taken to an institution for the let's call it the mentally disabled.

Ben is devastated when the police arrive to take his Simple Brother away.
And the latter starts banging the interior of the van to the point where Ben runs along, takes the driver down and then high jacked the vehicle.

They have to steal food and the able brother tries to meet their estranged father.
While he is doing that, Simpel meets a sex worker, Chantal, in the bus stop.

He looks at her breasts with an amusing, if awkward intensity, which makes the woman state her prices.
They would also meet Aria, a very helpful young nurse, who would help them throughout, even after Simpel nearly burns down her kitchen.

Emilia Schule, who portrays the nurse, is an excellent artist, seen in Berlin Station and LenaLove, both reviewed on the aforementioned blog.
Aria an Ben might fall in love with other, after fighting over some mistakes, the reckless decision to leave the Simple Alone and risk his death by fire and some other issues.