‘Brian and Charles’ Review
Stars: David Earl, Chris Hayward, Louise Brealey, Jamie Michie, Nina Sosanya, Lynn Hunter, Lowri Izzard, Mari Izzard, Cara Chase, Sunil Patel, Rishi Nair, Colin Bennett | Written by David Earl, Chris Hayward | Directed by Jim Archer
After seeing him perform in a variety of Ricky Gervais’s films and shows and have become more and more of a fan of David Earl, who co-wrote and stars in Brian and Charles. And then when I saw the trailer, I knew I’d be seeing it as soon as it was released.
Earl plays Brian, a slightly eccentric guy who, after falling into depression, isolates himself in a small Welsh village and starts to make things. Initially these inventions he makes aren’t very useful – a belt that holds eggs, a flying cuckoo clock – but then he has the idea to make a robot. And that’s when the fun begins. Soon the robot starts wanting to do its own thing but Brian wants to protect it from the world he has turned his back on.
Although it has a kind of silly concept, Brian and Charles is quite grounded and the kind of fake documentary-style fits well. Brian often talks to the filmmakers behind the camera but we are never told why exactly they are filming him, it’s easy to believe why they’d want to.
Earl plays the role slightly more restrained than some of his previous roles (see Derek) and it’s the right choice. This is an almost family-orientated movie (PG rating) so the outrageousness isn’t wanted. What Earl has somehow always bought to his characters is likeability. Here is no different, it’s a credit to his acting and his writing alongside co-writer Chris Hayward who plays Charles. Brian is likeable and you just want to see him happy, you feel his pain at times even when it’s not so obvious. He is also very funny but Charles is the member of the duo that brings the most laughs.
Generally the humour is a quite laugh but there are still a couple of belly laughs in there. The robot-like voice Charles uses along with some great lines is often very funny. Seeing a robot with a washing machine as a body dance, wear a set of curtains or acting like a spoilt teenager is just always very funny. Having Charles kind of ‘grow-up’ throughout the movie from child/puppy-like to teenager to young adult is perfect.
Brian and Charles is surprisingly beautiful on many levels too. The cinematography is stunning at times and the shots of the Welsh countryside not only look great but give you a taste of the isolation and loneliness that Brian has bought upon himself. There’s also a gentle and charming score that was worth every penny it cost to get highly experienced composer Daniel Pemberton on board.
But the most beautiful thing about Brian and Charles is how heartfelt it is. From Brian’s friendship’s with the people he sees day to day to the pure happiness he finds in having a best friend in Charles. Louise Brealey plays the love interest which is just as sweet as the rest of the movie and thankfully doesn’t feel forced like it so easily could have been.
There’s so much to love about Brian and Charles. It’s absurdly funny, completely unique and the most heart-warming movie you’ll see in 2022.
***** 4/5
Brian and Charles is on limited release in the UK now.
