Brothers of the Wind is a scenic and beautifully filmed movie focusing on the story of a boy named Lukas (Manuel Camacho), whose mother tragically died. He feels the pain of loneliness as his father (Tobias Moretti) is distant and withdrawn from him. But Lukas discovers a young eagle and takes it in to an abandoned home where he feeds it, keeps it warm with his sweater, and genuinely cares for it. The beautiful snow-capped mountains, vivid blue skies, and breathtaking scenes of the woods really add to the power of the film.
A man named Danzer (Jean Reno) takes Lukas under his wing, even keeping him in the guest room in his home during the summer months. He sees the lack of commitment on Lukas’s father’s part, although in one scene the jealous dad tells Danzer, “He’s my son—never forget that.” Danzer shares Lukas’s love for the eagle and gives helpful suggestions in caring for it.
Eventually the eagle, named Abel by Lukas, grows up and it soon becomes clear that although it will be difficult for Lukas, he is going to have to let Abel fly away—possibly for good. Will Abel ever return to Lukas? Will Lukas’s father ever find his voice to tell his son—and show him—that he cares for him? The answers are given in the film. There is one utterance of strong language, but we are awarding it approval for All Ages. Parents should consult the content listing, as some parents may not be fine with younger children watching it as it does also feature nature footage with some animals preying on others. But nothing is overly graphic, so some parents will be fine with their children a bit under 12 watching it. (This film is set outside of the United States, and it is worth noting that in an effort to protect these birds in the U.S., laws prohibit the possession of eagles and eagle feathers by anyone without a federal permit, with the exception of registered Native Americans, who can legally possess them.) This is a good coming-of-age film, and it becomes clear that the eagle and the boy are brothers of a sort. This is an enjoyable movie to watch with the family.
