The Brotherhood of Justice (1986)

Information

Siskoid
Though a TV movie, The Brotherhood of Justice has tons of people who would go on to be big stars - Keanu Reeves, Kiefer Sutherland, Billy Zane, and Lori Loughlin - so it's a bit unfortunate that it feels so much like an after-school special. It almost has something interesting to say, mind you. The action takes place in a rather preppy school in what looks like beautiful British Columbia, but is likely meant to be Northern California. It's hard to match the school location with the apparent ghetto part of town that marks the Mexicans' territory. It's like the school is inside a gated community or something, but regardless, we're told crime is out of control, on campus and off. The sheriff can't do anything, it seems, and the principal calls on seniors to lead by example. A few of them turn to vigilantism and go after the dealers and thieves that infest the town. We quickly understand that not everyone in the Brotherhood is as reasonable as Keanu, and that things will turn violent, and racist, and petty. We now live in a time that includes vigilante groups, which makes Brotherhood more relevant than ever, but its formulaic and preachy take on the topic doesn't entirely provide the discussion we need to have. There's something there about privilege and fascism and witch hunts, but the exploration is pretty shallow. 4 years 9 months ago