Brother

Balabanov's film Brother pulled an interesting take on a "hero." Danila's character was pretty complex. We are left to ponder his status in HQ and are basically left clueless to most of his past. He seems to be easily persuaded to kill because he has a natural knack for it. On the one hand, Danila is a mean, lean killing machine but we are also shown his sympathetic, compassionate side. We see him kill strangers for the ones he loves, help the poor abused Sveta, and trust his brother to the end.
I find it interesting the the mother said that Danila should look up to Viktor when clearly that respect should be switched around. It was so unfair that Viktor set Danila up after all Danila had done for him.
I found Danila's obsession with music added an interesting spin to the plot line. His love for music served multiple purposes such as an escapes from the present, an overall relief of his life, and an outlet to meet new people and experience new things.