Love, love, love!

I love, love, loved this book! Audio version must be heard. Hearing Jay and Mark's voices, telling their story, in my humble opinion is the only way. A former (possible once again in the future through the inspiration of this book) film and television artist myself, AND also having an older brother about the same years apart (except I'm the younger sister). This book was both incredibly relatable and gouged my heart in a way for which I can not find the words. My brother passed away at 40. But the stories of the Duplass brother's childhood, felt like we had lived in a parallel universe of parallel siblinghood, at that time. The dynamics of my family were quite different, so me at 14 and my brother at 17.5, were geographically separated (ripped apart) as my parents divorced. Had things gone differently, and always in my dreams, our sibling love for each other would have been able to navigate and conquer the distance and life/family dynamics, to have turned out in a similar manner as these 2 brothers. Instead of the darkened path we both struggled up and down for the next 20 years. From a business, dreams, and parntership stand point, (once we found our paths making sense again, and our siblinghood back in balance) things were beginning to bubble. Then my brother got sick. But I have digressed. This is supposed to be a review about Like Brothers. Thank you, thank you, thank you for writing and reading aloud, this book. Not only did it touch me in a way that is surely unique. It was wonderful, heart warming, and hopeful to hear 2 boys and 2 men, brothers, saying I love you to each other, nurturing each other in brotherhood, friendship, and as business partners, whilst struggling, growing, changing and ultimately attaining their dreams. I learned so much from this book. Both about the trials, tribulations, tips & tricks and thoughtful advice of being, surviving and becoming a successful artist. And about relationships. Tearful but also joyful memories of my sibling relationship and so much more that I will work to carry with me into all of my relationships. I will undoubtedly listen to this book over and over and over again. Something I mostly only do with watching movies. My deep heartfelt appreciation to you both, for giving the gift of your book.
-Amy

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3 people found this helpful

Heartfelt and funny

Such a great listen - witty, vulnerable, smart, interesting and just a beautiful story about relationships. The Duplass Brothers work has been some of my favorite for a while but this book just catapulted them to the top. Love them.

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1 person found this helpful

These guys are AMAZING!

I am inspired every single time I listen to this book--- and yes, I have listened to it several times. These guys are down to earth and innovative!

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1 person found this helpful

Even better than I expected

I really enjoyed this book. It was not simply a first we made this and then we made this recounting of their career to date, but an insightful, thoroughly entertaining look at their evolving creative process. The last chapter made me examine the relationship I have with my own brother in a new light. Truly excellent.

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A Fun Read for a Film Professor

The Brothers’ are raw and vulnerable here in an endearing way, but I truly loved their openness about their journey into and within the screen storytelling ecosystems. I’ll certainly be sharing some of their anecdotes with my students. Two words: throw pillows. Working for studios is not all it’s cracked up to be. Independent work is a tough road, but it’s not impossible.

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Ideal in audio

Listening to the brothers read this themselves makes it feel like audio was its intended format— I can’t imagine it any other way. They do a great job with it. Their trademark blend of silly and emotionally deep.

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I think I love this book.

As awkward as it got at times listening to how open and close these brothers could be with each other (because don’t we all wish we could have that with our siblings… or anyone really), their honesty, as usual, cuts like a warm butter knife. This applies to their personal and profesional lives, as well.

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Great book!

I loved the story and the storytelling. Their closeness is wonderful and I enjoyed the performance.

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Just like watching their movies

If you love Duplass Brothers movies, you'll probably love this book. if you hate Duplass Brothers movies, why are you considering listening to this? If you have seen a few Duplass Brothers movies and really liked them but you've also seen a few episodes of that weird hotel show they made and thought it cycled through brilliant and boring and weird but captivating and just weird, you'll probably enjoy this book a lot but consider playing a couple of chapters at 2x speed.

What I like most about the Duplass Brothers' film and TV work is that they clearly let creativity drive. They often make bold, unexpected choices that individual viewers will either love or hate. They can sometimes err on the side of rumination and navel gazing. While that occasionally results in a tedious stretch that makes you wonder if they forgot which story they were telling, the movie or episode usually benefits from their willingness to let an idea or an emotion simmer, and the experience is better for their resistance to cranking out action and laughs for their own sake. This is especially true when they seem to be nailing such a specific emotion or experience that it's hard to imagine anyone who hasn't lived through it caring enough to sit through a dramatic recreation.

This book feels much the same. Overall, it's fascinating, contemplative, and edifying. There are a few digressions—even a couple of whole chapters—that had me checking the progress bar to decide whether to skip ahead or ride it out for the sake of satisfying my completionist nature. Jizzing in his pants at a concert might have been a formative experience for the author, but I was checked out of that one from the beginning. Then again, if you can relate to having that weirdly specific level of connection to a live performance as an awkward teen, it'll probably be your favorite chapter. I loved the chapter about a kid's fight against her bedtime, but I probably wouldn't have cared much before I had a daughter.

That said, I don't begrudge them the decision to include even my least favorite sections. It's those risky choices that make room for some of the most compelling stories and storytelling. I've yet to read/hear another memoir present an author's story in such a creative way, both in composition and technique. Giving equal weight to snapshot stories and years-long personal and relational growth gives the impression that Mark and Jay could have included any of a hundred other stories, and that the point of the book is not to know everything about their lives, but to appreciate the narratives for what they are. It's a subtle lesson in impactful storytelling. I believe listening to this book will have made me a better writer, if only for showing the effectiveness of taking risks.

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Mostly loved! Great for indie filmmakers & storytelllers.

I loved this audiobook. It even gave me a great idea for the doc synopsis I’m currently writing. The subjective, loving, sweet tone is wonderful.

Only thing I don’t love about these fellas is their portrayal of female characters. Feels weirdly bro-ey. However I love their take on men - and I appreciate that their wives get to speak for themselves. Also dig the story about a daughter.

Basically…just get this and listen. Then watch This is John on YouTube and watch all their other indie films. Make a study out of it.

Enjoy!

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