BRAZIL (1985) - Terry Gilliam

Terry Gilliam once again brings his weird and absurd vision to the screen in his 1985 film, Brazil. Gilliam's warped vision of the future is of a society where bureaucracy has run amok. Everything requires paperwork, and even the simplest procedure is wrapped up in red tape. Sam Lowry (Jonathan Pryce) is a bureaucrat working in the Ministry of Information. It's a boring job of paperwork and procedure. There is nothing exciting for Lowry, except for trying to sneak in a movie under the nose of his weak and slightly dumb boss (Ian Holm). However, Lowry lives a second life, one in his dreams, where he is an armored super hero, complete with Icarus-like wings. He soars a beautiful and vibrant skyline, where he sees visions of a woman, whom he must free from imprisonment in a cage. One night, Lowry's air-conditioning breaks down. He calls Central Services, but due to a recent series of terrorist attacks, they are unable to see to him. On the scene arrives Harry Tuttle (Robert DeNiro), a renegade handy-man and anarchist to boot, who fixes Lowry's AC and disappears into the night. And in Lowry, a sense of adventure is born. He begins to see his woman in his dream in reality and sets about hunting down the mystery girl down.



Gilliam's films are always a visual feast, and none so more as here. His vision of the future is a cold, sanitized retro-futuristic mix. Every image and scene is rich in detail, and although this is my first viewing, I will definitely be checking it out again, as I'm sure I missed plenty following the plot. What's remarkable about the film is how prophetic it is, and how much of the themes in Gilliam, Tom Stoppard and Charles McKeown's screenplay resonate today. The government is obsessed with knowing everything about everyone. Privacy is almost non-existent. When someone is arrested, they have a sack placed over their heads and are locked up indefinitely without trial. Sound familiar? This leads to an underground movement of terrorists determined to free the people. But the film is about Lowry, so these details serve the film rather than being the entire focus of the story.



Jonathan Pryce plays Lowry as a meek, almost cowardly character. He turns down promotion and is quite happy to live a quiet, anonymous existence. It's only his obsession that drives him to become proactive. The cast is peppered by familiar faces, including Holm, Michael Palin and Jim Broadbent. However, Robert DeNiro's cameo as Harry Tuttle is the standout in the crowd. His manic anarchist handyman is a kind of paranoid James Bond, turning up, getting the job done, and disappearing without thanks or payment. It's great to see a comedic DeNiro role that doesn't leave you rolling your eyes.
Gilliam's film, is as always, incredibly beautiful. I can understand some not really taking to his 1984-esque vision of things to come. However, the film is quite accessible (unlike the recently released Tideland) and holds plenty for those willing to give it a shot.

8/10

Retro Cut!! COME AND SEE (1985) - Elem Klimov

The Second World War is one of those subjects that provides filmmakers with an almost endless supply of stories. Hollywood has produced hundreds of films on the subject, but Come and See, produced by Russian filmmaker Elem Klimov in 1985 is as far removed from these types of films as possible.
Set in Byelorussia in 1943, the film's 'hero' is Florya, a teenager from a small, poor village. The film opens with Florya digging a rifle out of a grave in preparation for joining the local resistance forces. Much to the consternation of his mother, Florya leaves home and is brought to the partisan stronghold in a local forest, as they prepare to mount an attack on the invading German army. But seeing Florya's youth and inexperience, the partisans leave Florya behind. Rejected and disappointed, Florya wanders into the forest, where he meets a teenage girl. The two frolic and play in the forest until they are interrupted by a barrage of artillery and incoming German paratroopers. They escape back to Florya's village where they find everybody slaughtered. They meet with a group of refugees, and Florya and a small group of men go off to find food for the survivors. Florya ends up at another village where he witnesses the extermination of the villagers at the hands of the sadistic German soldiers first hand.

Come and See is an assault on the senses. It's more a coming of age story than a war movie. It's a harrowing experience, but is crafted so well that the experience is worth the discomfort. The images and sounds are created in a way that makes you feel like you're stumbling through some surreal nightmare. It's reminiscent of the Do Lung bridge sequence in Apocalypse Now as the insanity of what's going on is portrayed through the cinematography and set pieces. There is a sense of dread that hangs over the film, and while very little fighting or killing is seen for two thirds of the film, you know that there is something coming, and it's not going to be pleasant.
The acting, from all involved, is outstanding. Aleksei Kravchenko, who plays Florya physically ages throughout the film, transforming from a wide-eyed innocent teenager to almost an old man by the end of the film. And after experiencing Florya's journey, you can completely empathize with his transformation.
Come and See is essential viewing. No other film I've ever seen portrays the true horrors of war in a more accurate fashion. The film may prove too much for some viewers, but those brave enough to sit through the whole thing will be rewarded with one of the most engrossing studies of war they're ever likely to come across. Absolutely essential viewing, but a film few people have heard of.

Come and See @ IMDB

Come and See is available from all the usual online DVD shops. You know the ones I'm talking about!