Will Canon’s insight into the dark world of fraternities was rewarded with the Audience Award at the 2010 SxSW Festival. The subject of ‘hazing’ and such-like is something which British audiences can only experience through movies and American television series.

But it’s not the above which is disconcerting for British and American audiences alike. It’s the exaggerated portrayal of the archetypal “jock” and the desperation of others to join the top-ranking school fraternity which drains the potential of this film.

Brotherhood begins with alpha male Frank (Jon Foster) dictating the rules of the Sigma Zeta Chi fraternity initiation. The challenge is set for the nervy pledges to each rob a convenience store of a measly $19.10 with the ultimatum “brother or bitch” blasted at them. Adam (Trevor Morgan) fulfils his challenge but his friend Kevin (Lou Taylor Pucci) isn’t so lucky and accidentally gets shot. So begins a series of unfortunate events as Frank and co try to keep Kevin alive without the involvement of the police.

It is this moral dilemma which baffles and confuses. Amongst the loud confrontations and sheer idiocy, Adam is the only one who sees sense and implores his cohorts to take his friend to the hospital. Frank, on the other hand, is more concerned with the reputation of the fraternity and, essentially, saving his own bacon. Adam flounders about and doesn’t make any real effort to help his friend and instead, bows down to Frank.

The film’s fast pace and multiple plot twists and turns leaves no room for the characters to breathe. Instead we’re only left with one semi-likable character found in African-American store clerk Mike (Arlen Escarpeta). Even then, the flaky use of the race card somewhat erases this. The shooting victim Kevin loses all respect when he rambles on about not being a pussy. After being shot and kept from any sufficient medical attention, he is still more concerned about proving himself to his prospective brothers.

Canon focuses more on the action and quick-fire screenplay so subsequently wastes the opportunity to explore the subject matter further. Stylistically, there is some slickness to the camera work and the action scenes are admirable given the budget. But there is no hiding away from nonsensical script and gaping plot holes.

The evening’s proceedings lead to a twee ending where you expect some aging narrator to announce “now girls and boys, the moral of this story is…”. With an interesting premise but disappointing execution, Brotherhood is all style but zero content with vapid characters and a predictable ending.