This was one of the most chaotic, over the top, and crazy movies I’ve ever seen and I loved it. It just kept on twisting and turning. There were multiple parts where I thought it would end but it didn’t.
a whimsical dystopian satire based on a hyper consumeristic beauty obsessed bureaucracy? this movie was made for me. Edit: changed democracy back to bureaucracy because apparently bureaucracy isn't in my phones dictionary and it automatically corrects to democracy.
My favourite are scenes are the Central Services advert just before the TV is blown up and the opening office scene. The advert is wonderfully retro and I love the irony of the proposition that the solution to having unsightly ducts passing through one's living space is simply to buy prettier ones, rather than to not have them at all - very "Brave New World". The opening office scene is a fantastically choreographed image of office chaos and frenzied (probably pointless) activity - truly balletic! The visual imagery in this film is masterful and the little CRT screens, magnified by lenses is wonderfully imaginative.
I recall watching this movie as a "OMG You have to see this" from a dear friend who happened to have parents that ran a video store. I have never forgotten it. How odd that it resonates with our dystopian world that we now live in... We also adored Time Bandits and Blade Runner. Hmmm. Could they possibly be related? We also loved all things Monty Python. Much love from the USA where the money printers go BRRRRRRRRRR
Terry Gilliam is responsible for 3 of my favourite films. Life Of Brian, Brazil and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. I love his films for how brilliant they look. He has a great imagination. First working as an animator on the children's programme Do Not Adjust Your Set, with Terry Jones and Michael Palin. This led on to the greatest comedy group ever Monty Python. I love Flying Circus, Holy Grail, Life Of Brian, Meaning of Life. Also Time Bandits, The Adventures Of Baron Munchausen, The Fisher King, 12 Monkeys, Brothers Grimm, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus and The Man Who Shot Don Quixote. Brazil is definitely his masterpiece. What an amazing visionary Director he is. Some of his films don't come off, but they are worth watching just for the beautiful visuals.
@@MatsMovieReviews I love The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. When people go through the mirror and into Doctor Parnassus' mind. The visuals are just brilliant. When the huge Police Head emerge's from the ground and there's a big sign "Join The Fuzz, We Love Violence". A brilliant film, written by Gilliam and his Brazil collaborator Charles McKeown.
Another spot on review my good sir. I absolutely love Brazil and can only wonder "what if..." Terry Gillium, outside of serious film lovers circles, is sorely underappreciated and its always because the studios find his films too abstract.
Thanks for the review! I first saw this movie in a high school film class at the age of 17, in my junior year of high school (I was born nearly 15 years after the movie came out), when we were quizzed on the movies and discussed them. To say it made an impact on my 17 year old self would be an understatement. It quickly became one of my favorite movies of all time. Oh, and I also developed a weird crush on Jonathan Pryce in this movie (always liked nerdy/geeky hot guys). You see, I always felt like an outsider and a freak when I was young and even now I still kind of feel like it, as I had autism, ADHD, a mild Non Verbal Learning Disability (NVLD), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). In high school, I felt alienated because I wasn’t a big clubs/parties/crowds (I was always a slow socializer) person, and was awkward and sometimes questioned why I felt different than everyone else. I have always struggled with socialization with my peers and social cues and emotions, relating to people, and sounds, though I have gotten better as I grew older. I also was (and still am) a big geek/nerd. To me, at 17, the world of Brazil represented how I felt about how I viewed the concept of employment and adulthood and the world, as a scary place that was fast paced and overwhelming, constantly pushing people to socialize and assimilate quickly and conform to societal expectations of being a “normal” person according to neurotypicals as opposed to being allowed to go at your own pace, when even stimming or being emotionally overwhelmed and having a meltdown at work (it’s different than a tauntrum) will get you accused of being childish and being fired, and where people constantly expect you to fit in the same box as everyone else, not allowing people to be their true selves and forcing them to “mask” to conform with the wider world around them. And where everybody expects for you to “act your age”, and suppress your true self. I definitely felt a kinship to Sam Lowry when I watched it, as I could relate a lot to his social awkwardness, his neediness and geekiness, his introverted nature, and his frustration and alienation from and with the world, though he was twice my age and had different life experiences than mine. I related to his fantasies of wanting to escape his boring/mundane life and live in a world of fantasy (as I often did), and when he was interacting with the girl who his mom forced him to date and make painful small talk with, I felt…that’s exactly how I feel when people force me to interact with people when I don’t want to. I felt as if the rebellious/offbeat spirit of the movie, its viewpoint of the world and its sense of humor fit mine, and what have you. And I became a Gilliam fan because of it. Forgot the teacher’s name, but god, do I wanna thank him for introducing me to this.
Brazil has always been a "hidden gem" to me and it's unpopularity is easy to explain. Without a wide release in the U.S., it was destined to flop. When it finally was released in the States, the marketing was minimal and was only shown in "select" theaters. Locally, it was only shown at small theaters in San Francisco and Berkeley who were known for foreign films and Midnight Madness title like Rocky Horror, The Song Remains the Same, The Wall, etc. I was lucky to notice a small ad in the newspaper and couldn't believe a new Terry Gilliam film was being ignored. I saw it at the Berkeley theater and loved it! Hard to follow on a first viewing. You bet! The editing of this film certainly didn't help! I think Universal tried to make up with Gilliam (or just kiss ass) when 12 Monkeys came around. It's hard to look at Jonathan Pryce after his reaction to the Ricky Gervais smackdown at the Golden Globes......I'm glad these elites didn't see that one coming!
Thanks for the comment and sharing your experience with Brazil. I wish I’d been able to see it in the cinema! Ricky Is a legend and Jonathan’s reactions were “pryce-less” thanks for watching 👍😎🙏
I just watched this movie the other night after eating about 4 grams of magical mushrooms.... this movie.........was too much for my brain to handle. Holy crap what an insane masterpiece.
I saw this in the cinema in the UK when I was 14, it made a massive impression on me. It’s the first film that made me realised there could be subtext and layers in a film. It was a Pandora’s box moment, I felt like Sam, going from naively bumbling through life to looking behind the curtain of authority, learning that there are lots of Kurtzmann’s and Jack’s in this world, few precious Tuttle’s & Jill’s and never become a Buttle. Gilliam has reached this level once again with Don Quixote, another masterpiece of story telling & visuals that I hope some kid in 30 odd years will write a comment on a review of DQ about it and how it reached out to them, and someone hopefully will reply; ‘have you seen Brazil’….
I seen on a DVD that Robert De Niro, the finest actor of our generation wanted to play the part of Jack, but the ever loyal Terry Gilliam gave it to his friend and collaborator the great Michael Palin. De Niro ended up playing Harry Tuttle and for a very low fee, as he wanted to work with the great Terry Gilliam. Gilliam is an artist of a director. He paints pictures on the screen. Michael Palin is such a talented man himself. He was always my favourite Python, playing many great parts like The Parrott Sketch and The Cheese Shop, aswell as Big nose, the Ex-leper, "You lucky bastard" and Pontius Pilate in Life Of Brian. The destitute Catholic, the army sergeant "Marching Up and Down in the Square" in Meaning of Life. Also co-writing Time Bandits with Terry Gilliam, and writing and starring in his film The Missionary. Also playing a great part in John Cleese's A Fish Called Wanda. Not to mention Ripping Yarns with Terry Jones. I believe Terry Gilliam and Michael Palin are 2 hugely talented artists. They are responsible for some of the greatest shows and films we will ever see.
Great insightful review. This is in my top ten films of all time. I spend half my life not understanding why most people don't think like me, and the other half being glad they don't.
excellent review of Brazil. Spoilt for choice which is favourite Gilliam movie. Twelve monkeys. Which has developed a different set of meanings since it's initial release , the man who killed don Quixote in which Gilliam & Adam drivers character ask how much is worth giving up for a obsession. Time bandits certainly his lightest and a brilliant ensemble cast and no apparent ego's. Brazil? Certainly up there it's still as good and inspired and Gilliams targets appear more relevant now than they did when I was younger.
As Brazil ranks no 2 on my all time favorite movies list only to be beaten by Fight Club my second best Terry Gilliam movie is Fisher King a movie so deeply rooted in everything that is existential in mankind. For instance the adorable love from afar aspect bc of anxiety is so beautifully done in stark contrast to the I don't give a sh*t attitude of the main character Jack. Terry has ways to transport emotions into our hearts like only a few directors have and often visually stunningly opulent on comparably low budgets. What's not to like?
one of the most important movies in my life as a young man. ive recently re-edited it as a modern trailer just out of interest to see how spooky and dark it would feel and it does still hold up. with all the remakes these days i often wonder if it could be done again but on balance i think this was a true piece of art that is of its time and wouldnt translate.
Thanks for sharing! I’d love to see that Trailer! I think the themes on Brazil can be translated in our time. However I agree a remake just wouldn’t have Gilliam’s oddball and uniqueness. Thanks for watching 🙏
@@MatsMovieReviews well here it is, i think the pacing works ok and it maintains a comedic kick at the end. i dont really do youtube it was just a fan edit. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-GtdkNvuqpZc.html&ab_channel=Dragons%27Den
Loved having this film brought to my attention. Have never seen it but will certainly be getting my banana fingers on a copy soon. Great work as always Sir!
I've always interpreted this film as a black comedy: It's a satire on how bureaucracy, that with blind compliance with it's rules becomes the arbiter of all. The "evil" was an unintended consequence of sensible rules, creating a system that was "oppressive" unless all procedures were followed.
Thanks for another great review, Mat! I first saw this back at Uni and immediately recognised the style. I love Jonathan Pryce in anything, especially WW1 drama Regeneration. However, my favourite Gilliam film has to be 12 Monkeys. Keep up the great work!
Thanks Richard 👍🙏 really appreciate your comments . 12 monkeys is my second favourite movie! I’m guessing because Jonathan Pryce played the master in the red nose day special you would appreciate him 👍
Gilliam's masterpiece (not his only one ) a movie that was prescient , like time bandits in its commentary on useless government vaccous plastic surgery obsessed people and a underworki g badly ran world. Stellar review if a little short
Other good thing with your site is you love movies. After the vileness heaped on indy 5, beginning to think people just don't enjoy movies for what they are-largely entertainment. Albeit very expensively made nowadays
Yup, I was very grateful for my friend who told me about this movie… I was already a Monty Python fan but didn’t know about this movie (not that’s it’s quite the same style of humor)… but wow I loved it, almost a “positive 1984” 🤣
Brazil is the only really great movie by Terry Gilliam. the rest are mostly stylish pastiche. I loved your review of it. I put it in my personal top five.
Living in Britain today, this film looks more and more like social prophecy - if Priti Patel could bang people up without cause and get them to pay for it she would be in heaven.
Love cinema. Never really liked Brazil for some reason and yet I often see it heavily praised among the great movies. Like Apocalypse Now!, I found the movie boring (the 2nd half of this movie). Was always a yawner to me. Will revisit this movie one day. Love Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas; and “Time Bandits”? Used to love the movie but now, many decades later, I find the movie boring. Gilliam is hit or miss to me I suppose. PS-Love the Monty Python movies.
Thanks for sharing! Some movies grow gracefully with age and some don’t I guess it’s all down to your particular tastes. For me personally I find this Brazil and time Bandits more fascinating as time goes by! Thanks for watching 🙏
I’m guessing accessibility is always from your own perspective. However don’t misunderstand my quote, commercially more accessible despite its subject Matter. However thanks for watching and for taking the time to comment.
I don't really see how Dark city is influenced by Brazil. I think the only reason people think that is because it was influenced by 1984 and it is a scifi, but apart from that they are quite different films. Also Brazil wasn't nominated for Best picture.
Many thanks for your comments ! I always cross reference my information in my reviews and I agree Brazil is a very different movie. However it is regarded as an influence by dark city’s director Alex Proyas. On several sources. The Los Angeles Film Critics Association nominated Brazil for best picture . Thanks for watching .best Mat
@@MatsMovieReviews I don't see it to be honest. He might be referring to art direction and filming/set production style. I believe that Brazil is a fusion of The Trial and slightly 1984 while Dark City expands 1984's ideas. -Here's a very short analysis of Dark City and 1984. 1984 is basically the could be future of USSR or other similar unions or states. This is pretty evident if you know Orwell's history and his previous work (Animal Farm being the most obvious USSR dustopia example). Dark City expands on the idea that states or ideologies like this aren't fitting for people. The conclusion to Dark city is that what makes us human isn't our memories or our enviroment but something different that makes us individuals. Classical Marxist thought ( USSR basis) is that people should be treated as part of a group and that people behave and react depending on their enviroment and that's the cause of their behavior (competitiveness, greed and violence being attributed to capitalism for example). The Strangers in Dark city are similar to what Marxist ideology think humans are/should be. They think as part of a group/cells and not individually and they can't understand why a guy with the memories of a serial killer doesn't follow the pattern. That's why I'm saying it expands on 1984 which is anti-ideology of that nature. -Brazil on the other hand is slightly inspired by 1984 (even Gilliam himself said that while he was influenced by it, he never read it) but it also follows the Trial on a lot of things as well. The tone of the film is comedic and absurd while Dark City is dramatic and a lot darker, even visually. There is obviously the element of thought control but also lack of empathy is very apparent here and not in Dark City, which is probably the most humane characteristic there is and the most important that really makes us different from the rest of the animal kingdom.
