Brazil (Directed by Terry Gilliam, 1985) Terry Gilliam's surreal, black comedy Brazil is one of the most imaginative and visually astonishing films you will ever see. The film's setting is a disheartening bureaucratic future society (think Orwell's 1984), where technology and paperwork have taken over. The protagonist Sam Lowry, is played by the great actor Jonathan Pryce. Lowry is an everyman who works within the system and has vivid dreams (literally) of escaping his surroundings with a beautiful woman (Kim Greist). While attempting to fix a bureaucratic error, Sam spots the woman he has been obsessing about in his dreams and the film really takes off from there, leading to an incredible and thought provoking ending. Set design alone requires essential viewing but the performances from all of the actors including Ian Holm, Katherine Helmond and Robert DeNiro add to the excellence of this movie.
The making of this film is also an incredible story. If you are interested, there is a book titled The Battle of Brazil by film critic Jack Matthews that delves into the problems Gilliam had with the studio and the explanation of the three different cuts of the movie. Be forewarned, Brazil is not for everyone, but for those who want an entertaining, funny, intelligent experience, you will not be disappointed. All of Gilliam's films are an acquired taste but if you like Brazil, definitely try Time Bandits, Adventures of Baron Munchausen and Monty Python and the Holy Grail (although I think everyone has seen this one). Brazil should be easy to find both on VHS and DVD.
