# Brazil (1985)

### reviewed by
Brian Matherly

    Brazil (1985)
    Rating: 5.0 stars out of 5.0 stars

See this review as it was intended at: http://www.jaxfilmjournal.com/

Cast: Jonathan Pryce, Kim Griest, Bob Hoskins, Robert DeNiro, Ian Holm, Katherine Helmond, Michael Palin Written by: Terry Gilliam, Tom Stoppard and Charles McKeown Directed by: Terry Gilliam Running Time: 142 minutes

One of the most talked about films of the 80's, Brazil is one of the most stunning (but also the most bleak) films ever to be produced. Part of the trilogy of science fiction genre films (including Legend and Dune) which were torn apart, re-edited, and rescored by then Universal head honcho Sid Sheinberg, Terry Gilliam's piece de resistance has garnered the largest amount of press. This is due mostly to Gilliam's determination to have the film restored to its original version and his willingness to discuss the situation to anyone who will listen. Gilliam also had a full page ad taken out in Variety magazine after the film was released asking Sheinberg when he was going to release his complete edit. It has taken almost twelve years, but Gilliam's final cut has finally been released on both laserdisc and DVD.

In an eerily ironic twist, the film's incredible narrative parallels Gilliam's battle for the proper treatment of the material. Jonathan Pryce is featured as an everyman that dreams of a life outside the Metropolis-like bureaucratic hell (known as the Ministry of Information) he is trapped in. His life seems to turn around when he gets a promotion within his company and literally meets the girl of his dreams. Everything appears to be working out until he suspects that the girl he is in love with is a terrorist. When he pursues her, he is singled out as a terrorist as well and must fight the same system he once worked for in order to restore his life. His dreams quickly turn to nightmares as his world comes crumbling down around him. Despite its futuristic setting, Brazil echoes many of the problems felt by any modern day person who feels trapped in their current job.

The film has been released in three different versions since it originally appeared in 1985: the 131 minute theatrical version, the "Love Conquers All" 94 minute TV version, and the 142 minute director's cut. Of the three, Gilliam's 142 minute cut is obviously the most magnificent. I had only seen the film in its truncated 94 minute television version prior to this recent release and had originally found the movie hard to understand and uninvolved (a problem which is more than solved with the director's cut). In fact, I don't think I had ever made it through an entire viewing of the cut film before finally seeing Gilliam's original vision. If I had never read any information concerning Gilliam's wishes for the film, I may have never bothered watching the complete version years later when it became available on laserdisc. I'm glad I did though, because Gilliam has constructed one of the most incredible films I have ever seen.

Brazil is especially remarkable on a visual level, thanks to Norman Garwood's impressive designs. Not only do the cities feel oppressive on an Orwellian degree, but also every indoor set is claustrophobic enough to lend the feeling of being trapped in a job where death is literally the only escape from the rut. The dream sequences are very imaginative and grow steadily darker in tone as the film progresses until they become the stuff of nightmares. No film Gilliam has made before or since has had the incredible visuals that this one contains. Brazil is definitely his most personal work and an obvious labor of love.

The full director's cut special edition of Brazil was initially made available on laserdisc and has recently made its way to DVD, both courtesy of The Criterion Collection. Split onto five discs for laser and three for DVD, the Brazil special edition is one of the most detailed box sets ever released. The film is presented in its original 1.82:1 aspect ratio with a commentary track recorded by Gilliam, two documentaries detailing the making of the film and fights that Gilliam went through in order to get his film released properly, storyboards for all of the dream sequences, production and promotional stills, and trailers.

The most impressive inclusion on the two sets is the "Love Conquers All" 94-minute version. After watching the director's cut, seeing the chopped-up version (that was originally intended for theatrical release!) is a disturbing experience. Gilliam's entire message is nearly lost or severely altered thanks to the wishes of Sid Sheinberg to have a film that ran under two hours and included a happy ending. A commentary track by film historian David Morgan is also included, which details all of the changes and inclusions the editors made and how they affect the original narrative. For those who don't mind spending a little more cash than they are normally used to, the Brazil special edition is well worth the extra money.

Reviewed by Brian Matherly - bmath2000@hotmail.com AOL Instant Messenger: Widescreen25 The Jacksonville Film Journal - http://www.jaxfilmjournal.com/ -- Chuck Dowling Editor - The Jacksonville Film Journal http://www.jaxfilmjournal.com/

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