Brazil (1985)
It’s Christmas every day in Orwell’s surreal nightmare.
Presentation:
From the creator of Monty Python and the Holy Grail and 12 Monkeys comes another similarly imaginative experience. This sci-fi film is basically 1984, except with a surreal and absurdist twist. It’s tonally quite similar to 12 Monkeys in presentation but with quirky dark satire that has slapstick elements like How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Actually I find the two very comparable due to the fantastical and unrealistic sets, which add to the quirky playfulness. Terry Gilliam really pushes the envelope with his uniquely unserious direction about serious themes. The visual flair is quite theatrical with over the top absurd performances. I really enjoyed the themes and theatrics for the first half, but it ends up being a few too many screws loose toward the second half. The story somewhat becomes meaningless as a result of an unfocused character whom departs from his usual motivations.
Conclusion:
Sometimes the better the beginning, the harder it falls. Like all Gilliam’s films, I really enjoyed the universe he created but without a substantial plot to provide foundation for the story it fell apart by the end, making it even more disappointing. I also wish he expanded more upon his satirical critique of this capitalist bureaucratic dystopia other than just presenting it as fact. I guess the reason I was looking for this unlike his other films is because the thematic material is actually quite substantial so moments when he glosses over pragmatic details feel like he’s not taking it as serious as the audience. Although it devolves into silly shenanigans, Gilliam never was really known for his focus. The zany direction can be all over the place, but the overall execution still delivered. Any film that critiques bureaucracy is a like in the Hall of Spice and this may be one of the spiciest Orwellian nightmares to hit the screen.
Recommendations
The greatest cinematography to have no story.