Brian and Charles

source: Brian and Charles

Absolutely fantastic movie. I've never seen anything quite like it. Brian and Charles are both extremely likable characters and it is nothing short of a privilege to watch them for 90 minutes. I can't recommend this movie enough, my favorite one I've seen in years.

Brian is a rural loner, junk scavenger, hoarder, handyman, tinkerer, and inventor (the results of which are not commercially viable). At one point he builds a robot, which comes alive and sentient, and accepts the name Charles. While Charles read the dictionary and is a font of knowledge, he is emotionally somewhere between a 3-year-old and a teenager. Charles has about the opposite personality to Brian - inquisitive and adventurous, rather than private and secure. I feel that their relationship is more overprotective parent and child, rather than "friends". While Charles manages to help Brian get a real girl, things get dangerous when he comes to the attention of the town bully. This is told (at least in part) as a mockumentary, with a brief interchange with a mockmentary crew member about AI, which Brian seems to be hazy about. That is well and good (and needed) when Brian is alone, but where is the crew when he interacts with more people? Also, Brian turns out to be an inadequate parent, giving Charles commands rather than information and reasoning. So these defects push my score down to a 6. This is a Welsh film, and so has a different sensibility than a stereotype American film. It is more gentle, and even the violence is rather muted, which could be a draw for some people.

Don't misunderstand me, I like weird cinema. I've watched and enjoyed Gaspar Noe, Lars Von Trier and even David Lynch as a more accessible weirdo. But something about the world of Brian and Charles just didn't resonate. Firstly, the film is written in a very, very heavy handed way. The antagonists are probably the thinnest written, working class tropes you're ever likely to encounter. And actually the humour in this, ahem, comedy punches down in ways that the writers are clearly unaware of. I can laugh, like the rest of us, at mental illness, Tourettes, fart jokes, irreverent humour but for me there has to be an acknowledgement, an awareness by the comic of what you're doing - as a matter of respect to the recipients of your down-punching. I never got the sense that both writers were respectful of this. Anyway, I actually thought this was going to be an interesting love story between a social outcast and a hulking male robot and, I wouldn't mind seeing that story. In the same week that a bloke was sacked from Google for saying in the press that he was working on an AI that he believed had become sentient, there is a rich arena of ideas to be explored. This is what probably is most disappointing about Brian and Charles: it doesn't know what film it wants to be. The label says COMEDY but it's just not funny enough and it's not intelligent enough to explore the likelihood of love/pathos emerging between humans and robots.

BRIAN AND CHARLES is a gentle and deeply silly movie that is surprisingly touching when it's all said and done. Coming in at a brisk 79 minutes, the movie-makers knew they had a slight story to tell, and haven't padded it. Tell your quirky story and get out. Yet, in this brief time, it says some pretty touching things about the need for friendship and connection, the impact of finding it, and also, strangely, reminds us that being a home-body who doesn't want to leave the local valley or a wanderer who wants to see the world are both valid and fulfilling choices, if freely chosen. Brian is a middle aged Welshman living in a gorgeous but harsh area of Wales. Rolling hills, sheep herds, quaint villages and a stunning river. But Brian lives alone is his ramshackle home and adjacent workshop. Unkempt and shy, Brian occupies his time mostly with his nusto inventions that never work. For example, he crafts a flying machine made with a bicycle that has a grandfather clock strapped to it so that he can fly over his village and shout out the time to anyone who needs it. It's a failure, of course. But his construction of it shows us how eccentric he is and how much he wants to be of use to his fellow man; the fellow man he struggles to connect with. Other constructs of his are equally unsuccessful, and of dubious need. One day, finds the head of a mannequin, and decides to build himself a robot. And stunningly (and without any explanation whatsoever), the robot works. This is Charles (or as Charles dubs himself "Charles Petrescu", surely the most random name a Welsh robot has ever given himself). A friendship of sorts forms between the two, but it's a bond that grows and evolves in gently surprising ways. And Charles is just the "social lubricant" that Brian needs to engage more in the world around him. Minor dramas ensue, and poor Charles has some unfortunate adventures...but none of it is too taxing. This is not a film to get your heart rate up to much. But it never takes an easy path in telling its story. Charles can be extremely funny at times, but also a frustrating pain in the neck at others. And Brian can be a great "father figure" at times, and a churlish brat at others. It all has the air of a forgotten folk tale, yet there's real heart here. Although devoid of belly laughs (and not trying for any), I found myself smiling throughout almost all the film, chuckling aloud a few times, and as I said, being surprisingly touched by the conclusion of this film. And I must say that the "design" of Charles is remarkable. A mannequin head with hair attached, with a torso made of an old washing machine and wobbly but almost human looking legs, all wrapped in comfortable sweaters and brown tones. He's a sight-gag that never stops being amusing. Yet coupled with the outstanding voice performance of Chris Hayward, Charles Petrescu is a robot for the ages. BRIAN AND CHARLES is destined to be a minor cult movie at best, and probably, realistically, it will mostly be forgotten. That is a shame. This is a tiny, independent robot movie with heart that punches above its weight, and deserves a broader audience.

If you like "Lars and the Real Girl" you'll love Brian and Charles. Brian and Charles is a mockumentary about socially awkward hoarder and oddball inventory named Brian who builds a companion robot from a pile of junk. He names his robot Charles who soon takes on a life of its own becoming more adventurous than his safe creator Brian. Charles informs himself by reading the dictionary and becomes quite curious about the outside world -- the world beyond the borders of Brian's isolated Welsh quarters. Charles craves adventure, unlike Brian who wants to live a boring and obscure life -- free from heartbreak and danger. Brian's an endearing creature who collects junk which he uses to alter household appliances that he claims as new innovations -- totally oblivious that these contraptions are made worse. This is a metaphor for how Brian sees himself and how he presents himself to this phantom documentary crew that's documenting his mundane life. Brian's a disheveled hermit, obtuse and discard, like a pile of junk that nobody wants. That's how Brian sees himself. So he builds a better Brian from that pile of junk. A robot who's willing to experience life. This is a heartwarming story about fear, loneliness and the importance of human connection. I highly recommend this film.

The film Brian and Charles has all the quintessential elements of a perfect friendship film. Director Jim Archer makes his feature debut in this quirky British comedy in which an eclectic cast does a spectacular job demonstrating the very real ebbs and flows of true companionship. Despite some significantly low moments in their friendship, including an explosive argument, Brian and Charles remind us that true friendship never dies; it only strengthens through adversity. Brian and Charles' friendship has an unconventional origin. Brian (David Earl) is an isolated inventor in Wales who specializes in weird inventions. Despite his passion, his interventions often flop. Driven by depression and loneliness, Brian builds a robot using a washing machine and spare parts lying around his home. Charles is clunky yet charming. He is obsessed with cabbage, uses the dictionary to learn English, and loves socializing, dancing, and adventures. In this film, Brian, played by David Earl, has finally invented the cure for his loneliness. What he doesn't anticipate is that Charles, played by Chris Hayward, is much more of a free spirit than he is. Despite their dance parties, pillow fights, and mutual love for cabbage, Charles deeply desires to see the world, while Charles is content with a quaint and straightforward life in Wales. One of my favorite parts of the film was watching Charles dance in a hula skirt and beg to go to Honolulu. Their competing wishes ultimately become the source of tension in their friendship. While the film centers on Brian and Charles, Louise Brealey's performance as Hazel, Brian's love interest, is worth mentioning. Their awkward yet sweet interactions between her and Brian give the film comedic relief. Brian and Charles reminds us that sometimes "friend" is actually another word for family, and sometimes loving someone means letting them go. Brian and Charles' friendship survived heated disagreements, conflicting visions, and even a kidnapping. But, ultimately, they proved that the love would never fade no matter the distance between them. I give Brian and Charles 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 9 to18, plus adults. Brian and Charles releases in theaters June 17, 2022. By Hanadie K., KIDS FIRST!

Loved it. I smiled all the way thru it. Just a simple story of friendship and how it can develop in the most unusual ways. I truly hope more people will get out and see it.

I've never seen the short in which the film was based on but this was hysterical, feel good, heartwarming, and silly. All parts in equal measure. The acting was impeccable for its hefty blend of humor and drama. Highly recommended, go see it!

Strange, but in an endearing way. A much needed departure from mega budget extravaganzas that forget the soul and humanity that comes with it. I was coaxed into accepting what was likely not possible just for a chance at a few more unexpected laughs. Just plain fun.