Brian and Charles, a Sundance acquisition, will premiere on June 17th.
Jim Archer’s feature directorial debut is represented by the film, which the Uni label bought from this year’s festival. Brian and Charles is a film about Brian, a lonely inventor living in rural Wales who spends his days creating strange, unusual contraptions that rarely work. Brian, undeterred by his lack of success, embarks on his most ambitious undertaking yet. He’s created Charles, an artificially intelligent robot who learns English from a dictionary and has a cabbage addiction, after three days, a washing machine, and numerous spare components.
The screenplay was written by David Earl and Chris Hayward, who both feature in the film. Mr Box Productions was produced by Rupert Majendie. Louise Brealey, Jamie Michie, and Nina Sosanya also star in Brian and Charles. Archer, who also edited the film, worked with Film4 and the BFI to conceive and co-fund it. The BFI’s EPs are Damian Jones and Mary Burke, whereas Film4’s EPs are Lauren Dark and Ollie Madden. Archer got his start shooting comedic sketches with friends before writing and directing several short films, including the short film version of Brian and Charles, which won gold at the Cannes Young Director Awards.
Artificial intelligence creating its own awareness is nothing new in sci-fi cinema, serious or funny, so it’s a breath of fresh air to see someone try a completely different approach – on a shoestring budget, no less – in the far-flung backdrop of north Wales.
The adventures of eccentric, cabbage-obsessed inventor Brian (David Earl) as he ekes out a reclusive, lonesome existence in rural Wales building impractical inventions like a flying cuckoo clock and trawler nets for shoes are followed in Jim Archer’s quasi-mockumentary Brian and Charles, expanded from his 2017 short film of the same name. Who can blame him for being bored when the village’s biggest drama concerns a stale Choc Dip?
Brian, on the other hand, decides to make himself a robot companion out of a mannequin head coupled to an old washing machine and something to serve as legs. But, much to Brian’s amazement, the bot, who has chosen the name Charles Petrescu and learnt English by consuming a dictionary, has formed its own thinking, sending the unexpected father-son combination on a journey of self-discovery.
Archer’s film is presented as a mockumentary, however, it’s clear that it’s more of a fun storytelling device than something you should think about seriously. Brian may occasionally notice the presence of the camera, and the film crew will occasionally pitch in, but it’s mostly a creative choice made for the sake of comedy. The sequence in which Brian first encounters Charles after he has come to life in his cozy cottage house is done in the found footage horror film style.
As entertaining as David Earl is as our human protagonist, Charles, a primitive cyborg maquette who bears a passing likeness to Jim Broadbent, is the true star of the show. Anyone watching will see that the creators just dressed a man in a taped-together costume, which contributes to the production’s low-slung appeal as if cobbled together by friends in their own back garden.
Co-writer Chris Hayward plays Charles in the film, and he offers an outstanding physical portrayal that approximates the stiffness of an actual robot. However, as Charles grows more aware of his surroundings, there are bursts of recognizably human movement, similar to those of a giddy youngster. What really seals the deal, though, is the inclusion of a wonderfully deadpan robotic voice – think a more sophisticated version of Microsoft Speech – which only adds to the character’s witty one-liners.
As Charles’ youthful curiosity about the larger world clashes with Brian’s desire to shield him from harm, Brian and Charles quickly fall into a typical-yet-surreal father-son dynamic. Charles goes through the anticipated adolescent routines, such as listening to loud heavy metal music and moodily rebelling against his “dad,” in one of the script’s most clever humour. When Charles complains that it’s not fair that he can’t leave the house and explore the adjacent town, Brian responds with the most obvious fatherly rhetoric: “Life isn’t fair.”
The first hour of the story is so entertaining that it’s a shame that conflict must inevitably arise when a local family discovers Charles’ existence and sets their sights on acquiring him. Though this situation momentarily touches on exciting concepts like free will and ownership, it also rips us away from the joyful, free-wheeling fun of a robot gaining its soul. As long as you don’t question the practicalities too much, the conclusion does at least loop back to Brian’s reputation as an unusual inventor in a delightful way and closes up with a certain tenderness.
That’s basically Brian and Charles in a nutshell: don’t sweat the small stuff and enjoy the oddball humor instead, proving once again that good ideas usually win out over big budgets. Though he’s pitted against a show-stealing sidekick, this is also a fantastic showcase for David Earl’s abilities; his motormouth shtick could be irritating in the wrong hands, but he imbues Brian with subtle compassion that makes him a truly charming rather than pitiful presence.
Overall, Charles is unlikely to join the pantheon of great robots in cinema, but one guesses the directors are very content with him being a more niche entry. The delightful DIY approach of this sweet, crowd-pleasing take on a familiar premise, as well as David Earl’s attractive humorous performance, distinguish this sweet, crowd-pleasing take on a familiar topic.
The Outfit, starring Mark Rylance, will be released on March 18, You Won’t Be Alone, starring Noomi Rapace, will be released on April 1, The Northman will be released on April 22, and Downton Abbey: A New Era will be released on May 20.
Is Brian and Charles available on Amazon Prime?
Amazon prime will not be streaming Brian and Charles. Additionally, several other films are streaming on Prime. Our recommendations are The Voyagers, It’s a Wonderful Life, Notting Hill, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
Is Brian and Charles available on HBO Max?
HBO Max will not be streaming Brian and Charles. However, HBO’s subscribers can enjoy its other popular streams like Euphoria, When Harry Met Sally, and Promising Young Woman.
Is Brian and Charles available on Hulu?
Brian and Charles are not available on Hulu. The new release line-up additionally includes Pam and Tommy, How I Met Your Father, Abbott Elementary, and Vikings.
Is Brian and Charles available on Netflix?
Brian and Charles will not be available to stream on Netflix. However, other brilliant shows like The Power of The Dog, The Social Network, Tick, Tick, Boom, and much more are available.
Where to Watch Brian and Charles?
Brian and Charles will be released in theatres on June 17, 2022. We do not recommend illegal streaming and always suggest paying for the content you like to watch.