Brazil

Starring: Jonathan Pryce, Kim Greist, Robert De Niro, Katherine Helmond, Ian Holm, Bob Hoskins, Michael Palin, Ian Richardson, Peter Vaughan, Jim Broadbent, Barbara Hicks, Charles McKeown
Directed by: Terry Gilliam
Rating: R
Genre: Drama, Science Fiction, Thriller
1985

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: A low level bureaucrat (Jonathan Pryce) searches for a woman (Kim Greist) he sees in his dreams, but that path takes him deep into the dystopian society in which he lives.

Review:

Tim: I've been quite critical of Terry Gilliam over the years. While Monty Python and the Holy Grail has long been his best film (in my mind), the others have been mostly disappointments. I'll have to slightly shift my view of Gilliam, because I believe Brazil is clearly the best film he's ever done. This is a genuinely great film. It's the kind of film you think about long after it's over. It's bleak view of a dystopian society is filled with so many details- some of them chilling, some hilarious, some mundane, and some completely unexpected. This film is like a puzzle box filled with surprises. You never know what you're going to get, from scene-to-scene. It might be something as small (and hilarious) as one desk shared between two offices through a hole in the wall. Or, it could be the nightmare of bureaucracy made real in frighteningly believable ways. It could be the many dream sequences, where our protagonist soars through the air on angel's wings. Or near-constant terrorist bombings which people have learned to ignore. Gilliam delivers an absolutely insane film that is often brilliant. This is a great movie.

I watched the 2 hour, 22 minute Criterion director's cut and I was blown away by Gilliam's vision and how he executes on that. This movie has so much to unpack, a review feels like a feeble way to do it. It's the kind of film you want to talk about, to get other perspectives on. To discuss the symbolism or the blunt, obvious decisions the director made. The movie mixes subtlety with in-your-face moments to tell its story. The scenes of the elder women undergoing a series of dangerous surgeries to look younger (but in fact, makes them look worse) is a sad commentary on how the vain try desperately to hold onto their looks (and it never quite works). The scenes of the mindless bureaucracy are so humorous, but also scary, because they represent dead ends that humanity has created. The creeping of red tape and illogical organization could potentially doom any society. Gilliam comments on all these, while telling a very visual story. I loved the visuals throughout this film- from the dream sequences to the pipes and tubes that permeate every aspect of society, to the fancy dinner menu and food we see in an upscale restaurant, to the final revelation of a horrendous torture device- the movie is absolutely filled with memorable visuals that pull us into the story and this frightening world.

The cast is impressive. Jonathan Pryce makes a great protagonist here. He's able to be dramatic and serious, but has this wonderful lighter side to him, too. He constantly embraces the absurd and his willingness to look silly makes this role work. This is a thriller and a drama, but it's incredibly funny as well. Pryce embodies all these aspects of the story and his character in a way few other actors could. I thought he was excellent in the role. I read that Terry Gilliam disliked Kim Greist's performance and I have to admit he was right. Greist feels a bit out of her element here. She's perfectly fine, but we needed a better performance from the lead actress in this film. There were actresses capable of far better performances than her. She's too wooden, too difficult to make a connection with. It's a shame, because she is a strong female character, they just needed a better actress to play her.

I loved seeing Robert De Niro in a smaller supporting role. I know Gilliam clashed with him on set, but De Niro makes a lasting impression every time he's on screen. He doesn't get a ton of screen time, but he's memorable and effective with every second he gets. I loved seeing Ian Holm here. I'd watch Holm do anything and he was incredible as an ineffective bureaucratic manager. He does the small things so perfectly well, he takes a throwaway character and makes him stick in your mind. He worked well opposite Pryce and I loved their several scenes together. I was also so happy to see Bob Hoskins here. He's limited a bit too much in his role, but he does the make the movie better whenever he shows up. I just wish he had more screen time. Jim Broadbent adds a silly supporting performance that works, too. The rest of the supporting cast all give good performances, too. Gilliam certainly gets the most out of this effective cast.

There's really no other film quite like Brazil. Gilliam crafts a unique, hilarious, unexpected vision of a dystopian society alike and unlike our current one. The movie reminded me of Metropolis in a few ways, although this film is much funnier and willing to embrace the absurd. That translates into an unforgettable viewing experience- you laugh, cringe, shake your head, reflect on how this film is a mirror of the worst aspects of our society, marvel at the cast, get sucked into this bonkers world. I also have to comment on the ending- it was brilliant. I know Gilliam clashed with the studio heads about the conclusion- I'm so glad he stuck to his guns, this is the only way the film could end. I'm still not a Gilliam fan, but I pay him the utmost respect for his masterpiece, a truly visionary and unforgettable film.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 8



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Metropolis