Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson play caricatures of themselves in Apples bizarre Brothers: review

Oh, brother.Famous pals Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson play exaggerated versions of themselves in their new Apple TV comedy, “Brothers.” It’s a messy stew of ideas that’s occasionally amusing.Mostly, however, the show is self-indulgent and aimless. Premiering Sept.

23 on Apple TV, “Brothers” gets off to an irreverent start, as onscreen text informs us that it’s “based on a true rumor.” In 2023, the “Dazed and Confused” actor revealed that he and Harrelson may have the same dad, convicted hitman Charles Voyde Harrelson.The former “True Detective” co-stars have never updated that claim with evidence. In the show, the plot kicks off as Harrelson goes to stay at McConaughey’s ranch in Texas, bringing chaos to the latter’s relaxing life.

There, McConaughey’s mother (played by Holland Taylor) lets slip the explosive information about her past with Harrelson’s father.The “Cheers” alum then sets off to investigate her claim, which involves visiting dusty backwoods dive bars and dealing with bumbling criminals.Harrelson’s subplot in the series is like “True Detective” mixed with “Dumb and Dumber.”Meanwhile, McConaughey makes moves to run for the governor of Texas.“Brothers” is several shows combined into one, and most of them don’t work. At times, it feels like a sly, backdoor way to announce a pivot into politics for McConaughey (the Texas native hasn’t announced a gubernatorial run, but he’s made past remarks that he’s open to it). The show’s buddy comedy elements shine the brightest, such as scenes when the famously laid-back McConaughey is painted as “the uptight one,” compared to the even more aggressively mellow Harrelson. But even that part of the story stumbles, too often aiming for low-hanging fruit to evoke laughs (such as a scene where the actors literally don fake noses and mustaches). “Brothers” doesn’t seem to know what kind of show it’s trying to be. It’s not a sa...