This is an excellent behind-the-scenes look at the talented duo, their insights on the industry, the complexity of their relationships, and their art. I loved the way the book was structured and really appreciated the airport stories and bits of advice shared as they provided a better understanding of their creative processes and successes. Jay and Mark's story is a great read whether you're an aspiring indie filmmaker, an indie film connoisseur, someone taking steps toward pursuing your passion, someone looking for tips on working collaboratively and independently, a sibling, a best friend, or someone eagerly awaiting the next Duplass project.

I am huge fans of Mark and Jay Duplass. This book was the perfect combination of stories, advice and laughs! It was a fun read and I really enjoyed reading about them. If you know who the Duplass brothers are you will love it and if you don’t you need to read this book to find out!! Loved it!!

I actually really enjoyed this. I didn't know a whole lot about these brothers going into this except that they were on The Mindy Project so I was pleasantly surprised to find out they have done so much more. The brotherly dynamic reminded me a lot of my sister's and mine's relationship. They were quick stories--some totally random--that kept my attention. I particularly loved the airport ones, they were pretty hilarious and creative. Overall, not bad and I liked the format of this memoir--as a series of stories instead of a strictly linear path.
I received an ARC of this book via Netgally in exchange for an honest review.

There are few bonds as close as those that exist between brothers. And some fraternal bonds transcend even the typical, creating a tight-knit relationship built on an intimacy that no outsider could possibly fully understand.

It’s that latter dynamic that impacts every page of “Like Brothers” by Mark and Jay Duplass. The Duplass Brothers – patron saints of bootstrap DIY indie filmmaking – have been one of the most fertile and interesting creative partnerships of the 21st century. Their considerable talents in numerous aspects of filmmaking – acting, writing, directing, producing, you name it – helped, of course, but it’s the passion, ambition and determination inherent to their partnership that truly led to their success.

With this new book, they add “author” to their shared resumé, constructing a quick-reading experience that basically bounces back and forth between accounts of the growth of their personal and professional relationships. It’s equal parts brotherly memoir and inside baseball movie industry narrative, shining a light on a relationship that is somehow even closer than their work might lead you to believe.

“Like Brothers” is broken down into a series of essays, most taking the perspective of either Mark or Jay. A lot of time is spent discussing the development of their relationship from their time growing up together in Louisiana. Despite being four years apart, the two were inseparable almost from the get-go, even going so far as sharing a twin bed long after reaching ages where such a thing might be deemed a bit weird. But their creative partnership was there from the beginning, whether it was making films with their dad’s unwieldy video camera or putting together acoustic musical acts or really anything at all. It seems that they’ve always had a highly unusual closeness – one that they themselves freely admit might not always have been the healthiest thing.

But Mark and Jay also spill plenty of ink sharing their perspectives on the world of filmmaking. Specifically, they’re very honest about how they went about making their own creative dreams come true. From the story behind the failure of their first feature film effort to the thrown-together three-minute short that got them into Sundance and onto the industry’s radar to the available resources style of filmmaking that became their signature, the Duplass Brothers talk about their climb up the ladder with truthful and frank humor.

But it isn’t all wine and roses. The book – particularly the back half – also delves into some of the consequences of their particular brand of partnership. Their closeness resulted in the loss of some of their individuality, with each brother finding occasion to harbor a little resentment and/or jealousy toward the other, both for how credit was distributed for collaborative projects and for attention granted to their separate pursuits. Not to mention how the codependent nature of their dynamic didn’t always leave room for anyone else, either on a professional or personal level.

Interspersed amongst these two narratives are a couple of subthreads that offer up a very different (and delightful) type of entertainment. There’s the ongoing “Top 10 Films of All Time” list that develops over the course of the book. Now, that’s not a list for either Mark or Jay, but rather a Duplass Brothers Top 10 intended to somehow satisfy both of them. Unsurprisingly, it takes a long time, but the evolution of the list is fun to watch, with more than a few genuinely unexpected choices.

The other subthread is much less tangential, almost serving as a bridge between the two sides of the Duplass relationship coin. These four pieces – titled “Airport” and numbered one through four – are transcriptions of a game that the brothers play while waiting for flights. They pick a person or persons and construct stories about them. These intricate and engaging biographies evolve into narratives – potential movie ideas, basically. It’s a snapshot of the Duplass process; we’re along for the ride as Mark and Jay flex their muscles and put their respective strengths on display as they tease out these elaborate stories, tying meandering absurdities to grounded realities. The interplay in these scenes might be the best representation of the brotherly dynamic – save possibly the occasional reproduced e-mail exchanges – anywhere in the book.

“Like Brothers” is going to be most interesting to those with an interest in filmmaking, which stands to reason. But this book is far more than film industry insight. It is a clever and thoughtful meditation on what it means to be brothers. It’s a shared look inside a close relationship that might be a little TOO close. It illustrates how we can struggle with both failure and success. It’s a book filled with love and passion and frustration and hope.

All in all, “Like Brothers” makes it awfully easy to like these brothers.

There's a bond between some siblings that is so deep and so complex that it's weird. Part of it is growing up together, in the same house, with the same memories. Mark and Jay Duplass are one of these pairs of siblings. They shared a small bed, even when they didn't need to. They work together. They collaborate on project constantly. It's weird. It's insular. It's amazing.

Like Brothers is the story of their relationship and their working partnership. They have had a lifelong dream of being creative together. They are open and honest in how they speak to each other and let the other know when their feelings are hurt. They know weaknesses and strengths.

I am a fan of both of Duplass brothers. Their films are interesting and offbeat in the way that I enjoy. Now, I'm a fan of them...as people, as brothers, as siblings.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and most of all, the Duplass brothers for the opportunity to read this book.

I'm a big fan of Mark Duplass from The League. However, this book was not for me. The Duplass brothers are quirky and entertaining on screen, but I just couldn't get into their style of writing.

I loved how this book told their life story and also had little essays thrown in that showed their character and humor. I think I could read a whole book of their airport game segments. I found it endearing how they not only define their relationship as brothers, but also as soul mates. Check this one out if you love unconventional Hollywood memiors as well as complex relationship of creative partners who happen to be family.

As a big fan of the Duplass brothers, it pains me to say I was let down by this book. Parts of it were fantastic. Anything about their relationship and filmmaking process I loved. Unfortunately, the book is brought down by these random segments that frankly go on for too long and slow the pace of the book. For example, there are segments regarding how Mark and Jay make up stories about random people they see at airports. This is amusing when they first do it but it happens several times. The very last segment like this does tie things together regarding their relationship but the ones before just were too long. There are also some random essays thrown in that I felt weren't necessary. If they would have stuck to their relationship and filmmaking stories I would have loved this book. In this format however, there's a lot a reader could skim through.

A very enjoyable autobiography of sorts about two talented brothers, who are actors, writers, directors and producers. The Duplass brothers are two highly intelligent guys from New Orleans who are famous for their mumblecore movies and appearances in The League. And Togetherness. The book provides great insight into their creative processes, while at the same time being a very affectionate look at a very close relationship. I highly recommended this book!