THEY say two heads are better than one.
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And, it’s an adage Clayton and Shane Jacobson certainly agree with.
Twelve years after the phenomenal success of Kenny, director and actor Clayton reunites with his sibling Shane for what is a very different film – Brothers’ Nest, which opens at Majestic Cinemas Singleton on June 21.
On a cold morning in the middle of country Victoria, two brothers arrive at the family home resolved with treacherous intent.
Terry (Shane) and Jeff’s (Clayton) motive is to make sure their dying mother’s plan to change her will in favour of her husband – their stepfather – is upturned.
It is all meticulously planned, but there is one thing the boys didn’t take into account; spending an entire day together.
Old grudges, different worldviews and a general troubled history will pit these two brothers against each other.
It’s a far cry from what the Jacobsons are like in real life.
“It was pretty good [to work together] to be honest,” Shane said.
“We’re not just brothers, we’re mates.
“Now, we’re on the road promoting the film.
“I recently injured my ankle, so we’re turning a bad situation into a good one.
“Plus, it was a great excuse to spend time with each other.
“We’ve done other projects in the past, as well as a musical – so we love working together.
“We share the same passion and dreams, which is films and film-making.”
The movie had its world premiere at the SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas, last month, receiving rave reviews with Rolling Stone USA describing it as “a funny, messed-up and moving tale that’s part Greek tragedy, part character-driven theatre piece”.
“We had wonderful time slots over there,” Clayton said.
“The Americans not only loved it, so too did the critics.
“It’s very humbling to be compared to the Coen brothers and Hitchcock.
“Brothers’ Nest was a wonderful experience both behind, and in front of, the cameras.
“But, we’re lucky, everyone on the set worked towards one goal – and we achieved that.”
Brothers’ Nest also shows Shane in a rare light, something he relished.
“As an actor, it’s nice to shake it up,” he admitted.
“Most people know me as Kenny or Swampy (from Oddball), or the host of Little Big Shots, so this role is definitely darker.
“My favourite dish is ‘sweet and sour’ – that’s how I adapt my career, one minute it’s comedy, the next it’s serious.
“However, this was a great script and a real page-turner.
“That’s what attracted me to it.
“The audience is also left wondering what will happen next.”
Shane certainly boasts an impressive resume, thanks to offerings such as Jack Irish (television), That’s Not My Dog, Oddball, Kenny, The BBQ, Charlie and Boots, The Dressmaker and American blockbuster The Bourne Legacy with Jeremy Renner.
And, he is not about to rest on his laurels either.
“Clayton and I are working on other scripts at the moment, together and separately,” he said.
“You never know what the future holds.
“But, money can’t buy you style.
“For instance, there’s about a $198 million difference between The Bourne Legacy and most Aussie films.
“At the end of the day, you need three things – a great story, a great story and a great story.”
Tickets are now on sale for the opening night screening, via www.majesticcinemas.com.au
