"Brian and Charles"

 If you enjoy quirky, off-the-wall British comedies, this is definitely a movie for you. “Brian and Charles” really caught me by surprise. I discovered it in the “More like this” section of IMDB while looking up some other film. It stars David Earl, who was great in the Ricky Gervais TV show “After Life.” If you haven’t seen that one, you might like it, even if you’re not a Gervais fan. The movie evolved from a 2017 short with the same name, and can be seen on YouTube. The full-length movie was a crowd favorite at the Sundance Festival.

 Earl plays Brian, an eccentric, lonely inventor who lives in a rural area of northern Wales. The film begins in mocumentary mode where the viewer is very aware of the camera. Brian takes us on a tour of his rundown abode and along the way he proudly shows off a few of his madcap inventions—products of what he calls his “Infamous Inventions Pantry.” They include a pinecone bag, an egg belt, a flying cuckoo clock, and a trawler net for shoes. You know right from the get-go you’re in for a fun time. I don’t know how Earl managed to keep a straight face while giving the tour, but he did. 

 

One day he discovers a mannequin head and he has a eureka moment. Since he’s so lonely why not create a robot to keep him company? He looks around his workshop for usable parts and cobbles together a bizarre looking creation. His creation has a washing machine for a torso and long legs for mobility. It’s a thoroughly comical companion. When a storm hits and a bolt of lightning strikes, his robot comes to life. It’s a nod to the birth of Mary Shelly’s “Frankenstein” character. 

 

After coming to life, the robot and Brian brainstorm on a name for him, and he settles on Charles Petrescu for a moniker. Chris Hayward is the voice of Charles, and he delivers his lines in a monotone, machine-like voice, a bit like Max Headroom, if you remember that wonderful show. He has a child-like curiosity about him, which slowly evolves into a rebellious teen-age persona. Charles marvels at the world around him and he’s prone to asking philosophical questions like “Can birds do what they like?” and “How far does the outside go? Does it stop at the tree?” 

 

It’s so wonderful to see the two interact. Charles is just a big, gangly, loveable lug, all seven feet of him. There’s a playful series of vignettes where the two are goofing around together, including a hilarious pillow fight scene that made me laugh out loud. It’s all set to the tune “Happy Together,” the old Turtles tune. It captures a sense of childhood wonder and joy. If only we all could have a bud like Charles!

 

Brian makes an occasional foray into the village where he interacts with the kindly general store owner June (Cara Chase). He’s also friends with Hazel (Louise Brealey), who lives with her mother and a chatty parrot.  The two are rather awkward around each other, however Brian fancies her and with the encouragement of Charles, starts seeing more of her. The village is also home to a bully Eddie (Jamie Michie), whose family terrorizes the place. You know after Brian’s first confrontation with Eddie, it’s going to eventually lead to a showdown of some sort. 

 

“Brian and Charles” is the first feature film for Jim Archer, who has done a few notable projects for British television. The director of photography Murren Tullett does a fine job capturing the stark beauty of the Welsh countryside. But the big kudos has to go to David Earl and Chris Hayward who co-wrote the movie. They’ve delivered one the funniest, most endearing movies I’ve seen in a long time. I hope we see more of them in the future. 

 

Note: Be sure to stick around when the end credits roll. Charles delivers an amusing rap that I missed the first time I watched it. 

 

If you like AI- and robot-themed movies, here are a few I’ve enjoyed over the years: “Robot & Frank,” “I, Robot,” “Blade Runner,” “Ex Machina,” and “Silent Running.” 

5 out of 5 stars

 

Currently streaming on Prime Video.