In Brazil, Gilliam combines science-fiction dystopia with social satire and Monty Python-esque comedy. The result was a 2 hour and 25 minute hulking tonal mish-mash. At times funny, at times sad, Brazil is one of the bleakest comedies out there. It’s no surprise that it is Gilliam’s best-loved film.
It’s also no surprise that the studio hated it. They cut it down to 90 minutes, and stowed Gilliam’s version on the shelf. After a year-long public feud between Gilliam and Universal, Gilliam’s version of Brazil won Best Picture at the LA Film Critics Circle and was nominated for two Academy Awards.
Gilliam was seminal in establishing modern cinematic sci-fi vision of Retro Futurism, and Brazil remains perhaps the defining film of the genre. Add to that all the traits that make Gilliam famous. His unique visual style is on full-display. His wide-angle lenses, canted angles, and bizarre sets and costumes. The cold horror of Michael Palin, and the cartoonish enthusiasm of Robert De Niro. There’s no doubting that Brazil is a weird, unique film.
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Next week on The Stake Podcast, we wrap up our month on Terry Gilliam with Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Gonzo.
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