Director Terry Gilliam called this a "post-Orwellian" film, and in a strong sense, he's correct. If you've seen (or read) "1984" and "A Clockwork Orange" you'll know that "Brazil" strongly resembles them. This film is extremely intriguing and captivating, while the performances aren't astounding, it's still a very enjoyable movie.
Sam's a meek individual who is promoted to "Information Retrieval." His mother forces him to do so (she's obsessive about plastic surgery and gets younger every time we see her). He stays in a small, cramped office and fantasizes about a blonde beauty who's actually a short-haired tomboyish woman he happens to stumble upon.
The plot's rather confusing and the ending is long and drawn out, but still, the dark humor is very recognizable and there's even a scene near the end that isn't recommended to the squeamish. As I've said before, when thinking back on "Brazil," I don't think of the performances, but rather the technically impressive special effects and atmospheric sets.
What's the message behind all this? Gilliam must have been trying to prove a point. He wanted to make the viewer think, "Could the future really be like this? Could computers rule the world?" It could be possible.
Another question: why is De Niro credited second in the credits when he's only in the film for about 10 minutes and Kim Greist is credited last when she's seen more than many of the actors credited before her?
And here's the answer. Just about everyone who's seen a half-decent movie in their life knows who Bob De Niro is, and not too many people know who Greist is...F.Y.I.: Kim Greist is in "Throw Momma from the Train" and "Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey." Most movie-goers would rather see a movie starring Robert De Niro or any other big star.
All in all, "Brazil" is a breath-taking and life-changing experience. It's fantastical, surreal, humorous, violent, dramatic, horrific, and mesmerizing all at once. Sure, it's not the typical Monty Python flick. But it sure is a memorable one.
Sam's a meek individual who is promoted to "Information Retrieval." His mother forces him to do so (she's obsessive about plastic surgery and gets younger every time we see her). He stays in a small, cramped office and fantasizes about a blonde beauty who's actually a short-haired tomboyish woman he happens to stumble upon.
The plot's rather confusing and the ending is long and drawn out, but still, the dark humor is very recognizable and there's even a scene near the end that isn't recommended to the squeamish. As I've said before, when thinking back on "Brazil," I don't think of the performances, but rather the technically impressive special effects and atmospheric sets.
What's the message behind all this? Gilliam must have been trying to prove a point. He wanted to make the viewer think, "Could the future really be like this? Could computers rule the world?" It could be possible.
Another question: why is De Niro credited second in the credits when he's only in the film for about 10 minutes and Kim Greist is credited last when she's seen more than many of the actors credited before her?
And here's the answer. Just about everyone who's seen a half-decent movie in their life knows who Bob De Niro is, and not too many people know who Greist is...F.Y.I.: Kim Greist is in "Throw Momma from the Train" and "Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey." Most movie-goers would rather see a movie starring Robert De Niro or any other big star.
All in all, "Brazil" is a breath-taking and life-changing experience. It's fantastical, surreal, humorous, violent, dramatic, horrific, and mesmerizing all at once. Sure, it's not the typical Monty Python flick. But it sure is a memorable one.