The Reunion Review
By David Kempler
A Star is Born?
Three brothers, Sam (John Cena), Leo (Ethan Embry), and Douglas (Boyd Holbrook), are brought back together by their sister, Nina (Amy Smart), for the reading of their father's will. Sam is a cop who has just been suspended for beating up a civilian. Leo is a wisecracking, sleazy, bail bondsman. They grew up together and hate each other. Douglas shares their father, but has a different mother. He didn't know about them and they didn't know about him. When we meet Douglas he is being released from prison. He's a thief with an easy smile and demeanor. You can tell right away that he is the good guy here.
At the reading of the will, the siblings find out that they have inherited an enormous sum of money, but with one caveat. They must start a business together and keep it going for a while. After the required amount of time passes, they can share the windfall. As you might suspect, Sam and Leo have enormous reservations about being together. Douglas bears no grudges towards them and serves as the voice of reason. He gets his brothers to go forward with the shared business idea. Sam's idea is to form a sort of detective agency, since he and Leo already have experience in that field. After a bit of haggling, they all buy into it.
Their first job takes them into the mountains of Mexico where a rich man is being held hostage. There is a reward for his being freed so they have another monetary incentive, in addition to staying together for the inheritance.
"The Reunion" is chock full of nonsensical dialogue and wooden acting by its star, Mr. Cena. Certainly he is looking to slide over from his role as a professional wrestler as has happened before to other wrestlers, with varying degrees of success. Despite its holes, it kind of works. It is far better than it has any right to be. The key in my opinion is the performance of newcomer Boyd Holbrook. He projects the young, good-looking male that could lead to a very successful career. I don't know what is in the young man's plans, but I think if he wants it, he might make it big one day, so maybe "The Reunion" will be viewed as a starting point for a talented actor. If you see "The Reunion" you will be able to say that you knew way back when.
