Brian and Charles (2022) User Reviews

wonderful film

[tilokaudaman · 8/10 · 23 June 2022]

I was trying to kill some time and take a little break from a boring conference I was attending. There was multiplex cinema next door to conference center and the film "Brian and Charles" was playing there. I had no idea what the film was about but decided to go on impulse. Wow, I couldn't be more delighted with what I experienced. It is a charming film about a relationship between a man and a robot he invented. It is funny and heartwarming with wonderful performances and beautiful cinematography depicting the rugged land and stark beauty of Wales.

The humor in the film is subtle and refreshingly clever. The main characters are well developed and believable. In short if you need a little pick me up and a feel good experience I cannot recommend this little film enough.

Brian and Charles will definitely end up as one of the most endearing, funniest, feel-good stories of the whole year.

[msbreviews · 8/10 · 21 February 2022]

If you enjoy reading my Spoiler-Free thoughts, please follow my blog to read my full review :)

"Brian and Charles will definitely end up as one of the most endearing, funniest, feel-good stories of the whole year. Jim Archer takes David Earl and Chris Hayward's original screenplay and uses their extraordinary, amusing performances to bring to life a narrative about true friendship and authentic human connections.

The light humor consistently forces the audience to let go of strong, loud laughs, either through genuinely hilarious interactions between the two protagonists or using physical comedy and brilliant song selection.

It may not be never-seen-before content or as inventive as expected, but it manages to deliver a memorable, entertaining, heartfelt story with beautiful messages.

A must-watch!"

Rating: A-

A charming, amusing and touching surprise

[RMurray847 · 7/10 · 22 June 2022]

BRIAN AND CHARLES is a gentle and deeply silly movie that is surprisingly touching when it's all said and done. Coming in at a brisk 79 minutes, the movie-makers knew they had a slight story to tell, and haven't padded it. Tell your quirky story and get out. Yet, in this brief time, it says some pretty touching things about the need for friendship and connection, the impact of finding it, and also, strangely, reminds us that being a home-body who doesn't want to leave the local valley or a wanderer who wants to see the world are both valid and fulfilling choices, if freely chosen.

Brian is a middle aged Welshman living in a gorgeous but harsh area of Wales. Rolling hills, sheep herds, quaint villages and a stunning river. But Brian lives alone is his ramshackle home and adjacent workshop. Unkempt and shy, Brian occupies his time mostly with his nusto inventions that never work. For example, he crafts a flying machine made with a bicycle that has a grandfather clock strapped to it so that he can fly over his village and shout out the time to anyone who needs it. It's a failure, of course. But his construction of it shows us how eccentric he is and how much he wants to be of use to his fellow man; the fellow man he struggles to connect with. Other constructs of his are equally unsuccessful, and of dubious need.

One day, finds the head of a mannequin, and decides to build himself a robot. And stunningly (and without any explanation whatsoever), the robot works. This is Charles (or as Charles dubs himself "Charles Petrescu", surely the most random name a Welsh robot has ever given himself). A friendship of sorts forms between the two, but it's a bond that grows and evolves in gently surprising ways. And Charles is just the "social lubricant" that Brian needs to engage more in the world around him.

Minor dramas ensue, and poor Charles has some unfortunate adventures...but none of it is too taxing. This is not a film to get your heart rate up to much. But it never takes an easy path in telling its story. Charles can be extremely funny at times, but also a frustrating pain in the neck at others. And Brian can be a great "father figure" at times, and a churlish brat at others. It all has the air of a forgotten folk tale, yet there's real heart here.

Although devoid of belly laughs (and not trying for any), I found myself smiling throughout almost all the film, chuckling aloud a few times, and as I said, being surprisingly touched by the conclusion of this film.

And I must say that the "design" of Charles is remarkable. A mannequin head with hair attached, with a torso made of an old washing machine and wobbly but almost human looking legs, all wrapped in comfortable sweaters and brown tones. He's a sight-gag that never stops being amusing. Yet coupled with the outstanding voice performance of Chris Hayward, Charles Petrescu is a robot for the ages.

BRIAN AND CHARLES is destined to be a minor cult movie at best, and probably, realistically, it will mostly be forgotten. That is a shame. This is a tiny, independent robot movie with heart that punches above its weight, and deserves a broader audience.

Arguably the best film of summer '22, but certainly one of the best of the year.

[JohnDeSando · 17 June 2022]

In this dry season, I looked to some dry UK humor to accompany my dry martini. In director Jim Archer's brilliant Brian and Charles, wit and heart are the essential ingredients as small-town Welch citizen Brian (David Earl) is all beard and glasses inventing useless objects like an egg-carrying belt and a flying cuckoo clock, which he launches from a bicycle with disastrous results.

Brian's my kind of eccentric, a quirky introvert lucky to find a lady, Hazel (Louise Brealey), an equally introverted heart who loves Brian for the reasons others find him weird.

With nothing better to do, he creates robot Charles, seven feet of rubber head and box chest and the sarcastic inquisitiveness of a teen waiting for the chance to escape and see the world. Being led around town virtually on a leash, Charles is ready to bolt while retaining a loving attitude toward his maker.

It's a bit of Frankenstein mixed with Iron Giant, peppered with R2-D2 love and C-3PO attitude. The glasses give him a smart impression and the blue eye a sinister suggestion. But he, too, is all heart. As in any summer comedy worth anything, conflict finds its place in the town bully, Eddie (Jamie Michie), attacking meek Brian and his creation.

What happens is not so much a surprise as it is a satisfying resolution fitting a sleepy town enfolded in white clouds, grey days, and simplicity. Murren Tullett's crisp cinematography will convince you to book a flight to Wales, and Daniel Pemberto's energetic electronic score will make you forget Danny Elfman's musical genius but remind you of Pemberto's Spider-Verse compositions.

Daniel and Charles has a soothing, loving humanity to take you out of Top Gun, Jurassic World, and Thor and give you a walking stick to explore little UK towns that contain lo-fi conflict enough for multiverses. One of the best movies of the year and arguably the best so far this summer.

Specs Machina...

[Xstal · 6/10 · 30 January 2023]

Isolation, segregation has effects, when you're alone and your detachment goes unchecked, laugh at jokes that are not funny, a robot made with washers tummy, quite a range of strange events, with self-neglect. Then some magic conjures life into latex, the head you've enhanced with some hair, and rounded specs, it's like a child has been born, a new creation has been formed, amazing concept, all achieved without the sex. You call him Charles, and the effect is quite profound, you start to scale from the depths that you were bound, a new best friend, he's the full package, and he adores your boiled cabbage, it's great to have some company, to hang around.

A quaint little tail, sees a lonely tinkerer playing a Geppetto type character in contemporary times, who conjures up a scrap yard equivalent of the wooden boy in the form of a larger than life robot called Charles.

Picture if Bill Forsyth adapted an unreleased Asimov story

[Quinoa1984 · 7/10 · 18 June 2022]

Brian and Charles, despite the science fiction vibe that would seem evident from it's premise, is really a wholly gentle semi-fantasy (with a very loose documentary framing that comes and goes as it pleases) about what ups downs come to becoming a parent.

The analogy is up front and obvious, right down to Charles creating child-like drawings of his slightly eccentric creator Brian and his cabbages, and then into his, ahem, "teenage" years where he locks himself in his room to mope and listen to loud heavy metal when Brian won't let him outside. It's also about how sometimes you just can't let the bullies of the world push you around anymore and using one's imagination is the only salvation.

That makes it sound potentially heavier than this all is, when in reality Jim Asher in his debut has crafted a light comedy that could be appealing to families (or ones that aren't averse to Welsh accents and dreary rural backdrops), and it's often quite funny, mostly early on as we get to learn who Brian is and how he's just constantly inventing and creating this and that (the town bully's daughters want Brian to make them the same Pine-Cone tote bag he's made, because who wouldn't want one I guess), but also how deadpan Charles is when making his demands to go see this or that or create his Hawaiian costume to go off to Honolulu.

Again, nothing about how this unfolds matters much for the seeming sci-fi trappings, and that's actually fine: I'd prefer if it's going to be about the characters and how they grow and bond with each other for that to be genuine, and Brian and Charles is certainly that. I mentioned the docu-style set up, and why exactly this crew is following this man in this environment is hard to figure, and that plus the filmmakers using it or not using it depending on what the scene entails makes things a bit shaggy and inconsistent stylistically (ie how there are good two-camera set ups often enough to not miss anything, or when things are leading to the climactic showdown between Brian and Eddy). And if you think more deeply about other implications, like what Eddy and his bully family want to do with Charles, it could be questionable.

But if you're just watching for this little idiosyncratic world, it's a sweet story that brings you along that is anchored especially by the appealing performances of David Earl (with those perpetually kind eyes and perfectly but pleasantly shlubby countenance) and Chris Hayward (coming for Anthony Daniels crown for best uptight british android voice), who also wrote the piece. It's the movie equivalent of a nice slice of pie, and sometimes that's all I want.

Beautiful film...

[skywalker7471 · 8/10 · 10 July 2022]

Beautiful film.beautifully acted & shot, with a real heart warming story of love & friendship with the amazing David Earl as the inventor Brian & the fantastic robot he creates Charles... go see it & love it, don't listen to the negative comments by small minded people....

A quirky Brit dramedy so offball that it def'ly won't appeal to all, but those to whom it does will love it

[danieljfarthing · 7/10 · 16 August 2022]

In quirky Brit dramedy "Brian And Charles" oddball 'inventor' David Earl (of Brit tv fame) is lonely living outside a beautiful, rural, but somewhat rough Welsh village - so he builds a full-on AI robot (voiced by co-witer (with Earl) Chris Hayward) out of a washing machine, rubber gloves, a mannequin's head, etc (as you do). As the robot's intellect & character grows & evolves (like an accelerated child's) so does his relationship with Earl as he learns of love (via Louise Brealey), perilousness (via local bullies Jamie Michie, Nina Sosanya & kids) & dreams. It's an undeniably strange little movie that certainly won't appeal to all - but those who 'get' it's weirdness will love it.

The film that everyone needs

[QoS007 · 9/10 · 20 June 2022]

I've never seen the short in which the film was based on but this was hysterical, feel good, heartwarming, and silly. All parts in equal measure. The acting was impeccable for its hefty blend of humor and drama. Highly recommended, go see it!

Cute and light hearted

[aablankenship · 7/10 · 29 June 2022]

This was an aggressively cute and humble film. It's characters were amazing and their interactions were particularly great and well written.

The plot is a little formulaic, but still pleasant nonetheless.

A bit weird and not that funny

[deloudelouvain · 5/10 · 7 September 2022]

Brian and Charles is just a bit too simple for me. It's a bit weird, but the good kind of weird if you could say so. That said besides a couple mildly funny moments it became a bit boring at one point. David Earl wasn't bad playing his character. The cinematography was simple, not much to mess up as it's like filming a crazy hoarder in the middle of nowhere somewhere in Wales. I get it that some people will find this entertaining but to me it fell short. Brian and Charles is definitely not a movie I need to watch again in the future but I've seen worse, way worse. If you're looking for something simple, very simple that is, this movie might do the job.

Wonderfully different.

[dahhmlife · 9/10 · 22 June 2022]

Strange, but in an endearing way. A much needed departure from mega budget extravaganzas that forget the soul and humanity that comes with it. I was coaxed into accepting what was likely not possible just for a chance at a few more unexpected laughs. Just plain fun.

"Lars and the Real Girl" meets "The Goonies"

[sheepdater · 6/10 · 12 October 2022]

A very cute and family friendly little picture, but far from movie of the year. Despite winning best of show at a film festival, it does not guarantee this is a legendary movie. Then general public is unaware of the kind of garbage shown at most festivals. Still this low budget flick tells an off beat story with heart.

It combines elements like overcoming loneliness in a manner very similar to "Lars and the Real Girl". Instead of a rubber sex doll, this lonely Geppetto cobbles together a companion out of trash. Both the resourcefulness and the success rate of his inventions take a page from the character of Data from "The Goonies". The robot, Charles, is also a bit reminiscent of Johnny 5 from the "Short Circuit" films.

This story picks the best elements from classic films and literature and combines them in a unique way. Since this film debuted around Halloween, audiences expecting anything Frankenstein-esque will be sorely disappointed. It does not contain any mishaps with introducing the robot into society. It does however contain an accelerated period of growth and maturity for the robot. It was very enjoyable to see Charles go from infant to adult with even a rebellious teen phase in the mix.

This film doesn't preach about artificial intelligence nor does it philosophize. It does not even answer the question of what Charles the robot does with the massive amounts of cabbage he consumes. It does not need to...It's just a cute little modern day fairy tale.

A Vapid Attempt at Charm and Endearment

[whedabrakyovaer · 3/10 · 23 June 2022]

Aggressively "feel-good" at the cost of everything else, Brian and Charles could be described as Disney's Pinocchio meets The Room, shot as a documentary in the Welsh countryside; but not in a good way. Or maybe just "Cliché the Movie."

To call painfully introverted protagonist Brian an "inventor" is incredibly dishonest. His inventions range from gluing pinecones to a bag (poorly), to cobbling together a bike, cuckoo clock, fan and wings... and then actually expect the device to fly. In short, this man is an idiot and everyone we see him interact with in the village (except the generic village bully) seems to like him and cut him slack for his child-like shenanigans and his suggested inability to pay for things on a regular basis.

Brian somehow (magically) creates a sentient 7-foot tall robot that goes from acting like a human child to an incredible docile "rebellious" human teenager, to young adult by the end. So to be clear, this is not a film about a lonely man who makes a robotic friend who has a unique non-human experience and perspective, it's about a lonely man who has a documentary crew following him around while he makes a child and keeps said child prisoner in his home until the child gets kidnapped, tortured and only wants to return to his former prison because it wasn't so bad by comparison... not what I'd call a feel-good movie.

The film almost gets interesting when Charles occasionally begins to gently rebel against Brian's terrible parenting, but this goes nowhere and is quickly shrugged away with more bad parenting... In fact, the film actually suggests (after the aforementioned kidnapping and torture by the generic village bully) that Brian was right all along... before doing a noncommittal 180 at the very end and Brian somehow (magically) presents Charles with a "ticket around the world" where the first stop is Honolulu, and nobody that Charles knows will be going with him... that's definitely going to end well.

I would say you might be able to enjoy this film if you just turn your brain off. But at an hour and a half the film drags and you'll likely wind up taking a nap instead.

Oddball, quirky, and charming

[trinaboice · 7/10 · 14 July 2022]

IN A NUTSHELL: After a particularly harsh winter, Brian goes into a deep depression. Completely isolated and with no one to talk to, Brian does what any sane person would do when faced with such a melancholic situation. He builds a robot.

This charming movie is the directorial debut by Jim Archer. The writers, David Earl and Chris Hayward, also star in the movie.

If you love oddball humor and a spot of British tea, you might enjoy this creative spin on the Frankenstein story. Reviews have been coming in from a terrible 1-star grade to high praise with 10-star reviews. Clearly, this type of cheeky humor isn't for everyone. It's strange and endearing at the same time.

THINGS I LIKED: It's absolutely lovely to spend some time in the beautiful Welsh countryside. I had the great pleasure of going there a few years ago. True Welsh is impossible for most people to understand so, thankfully, we hear British/English with a thick Welsh accent. It's a fun introduction to the bucolic spot on the globe called Wales.

I had never seen David Earl or Chris Hayward in anything before. You can tell they had a blast making this movie together.

In the style of THE OFFICE, Charles talks straight to the viewing audience, assuming a camera is following him around everywhere. That element of breaking the fourth wall plays heavily in Act 1 but then tapers off tremendously in Acts 2 & 3.

At times, the dialogue is clever and witty.

Keep watching during the rolling credits at the end for photos of what happens next after the film ends.

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE: Some American audiences might find it difficult to understand everything that's said because of the thick Welsh accent. This is one of those movies where you'll want to turn on the captions if you're streaming this on your TV.

Many viewers will be bored, waiting for something to "happen".

TIPS FOR PARENTS: Some British profanity like "bloody hell" Adult bullying is portrayed Some violence

THEMES: Creativity Imagination People on the Spectrum - I'm assuming two of the characters are. Did you interpret it that way?

Friendship The need for companionship Optimism Robots Standing up for yourself and what's right One man's trash is another man's treasure

Quirky low budget British film

[coombsstephen · 6/10 · 18 July 2022]

This film is an ok watch. I think if you like the main actor, who is just playing his normal character you will enjoy it more.

It touches your heart a bit and is harmless. It's funny in places as well.

Very British humour though.

Lovely, original and heart warming.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 27 May 2023]

Brian is alone and isolated, to overcome his loneliness, he builds a new robot, named Charles, like cake making he wanted a Victoria sponge, but instead got a blancmange.

I'll be honest, I watched the first five minutes, and I wasn't convinced, ready to switch it off, however, I decided to stick with it, and I'm so glad I did, I really am, and only wish I'd saved it.

Don't expect to learn much about why Brian has ended up in this situation, they don't actually go into it, all we get is what's on the surface, he's definitely a troubled Soul, the focus is more on his newly found sense of companionship, his unquestionable positivity.

It's funny, it's sad, it's quirky, it's like nothing else I've ever seen before. No special effects, no heavy music, it's low budget, but there in lies the charm, it is rewardingly heart warming, it works on so many levels.

I associate David Earl with two shows, two favourites of mine, Afterlife and Derek, you see just what a talented actor he is here, it's such a different, well measured performance, credit to him.

Just lovely.

8/10.

Quaint, simple, quirky, enjoyable

[Groverdox · 7/10 · 26 January 2023]

"Brian and Charles" is a rare movie where I actually wanted there to be a happy ending. Usually happy endings in movies are forced and depressing and you end up thinking, "that would never happen in real life", and that makes you sad. Here, I actually cared about the characters to an extent, and disliked the bad guy, and didn't want to see him get his way, as bad guys always do in real life.

The movie is charming in how quaint and simple and innocent it feels. It's like a cartoon flick for kids, like the classic, under-seen "The Iron Giant". Only thing is there are no kids in the movie; the protagonist is a middle-aged man.

About that man: at first I wasn't sure about this movie's choice of lead. But about midway it hit me. The main character is charismatic precisely because he has no natural charm and is just himself, a genius inventor, shy, lonely, introverted, but good-hearted. He has no wiles and therefore no guile. You can't help but like somebody so real.

The robot is also a very interesting touch. I don't know how it works. It's clearly a man with a cardboard box over his head, and the cardboard box has a fake head on top. Like the main character and like the movie itself, it's quaint, simple, unassuming, and ends up being surprisingly touching. At first you feel like the filmmakers are making fun of the viewer. Then you realise they aren't.

"Brian and Charles" is a nice movie.

Charming and sweet

[cmooney-53181 · 10/10 · 18 June 2022]

Loved it. I smiled all the way thru it. Just a simple story of friendship and how it can develop in the most unusual ways. I truly hope more people will get out and see it.

What is it, please?

[Pjtaylor-96-138044 · 7/10 · 8 March 2023]

'Brian And Charles (2022)' is a wholesome, lo-fi mockumentary about a lonely man who invents a robot. That's really all there is to it, but the picture does a lot with its simple premise primarily by being humorous and heartfelt. It's a very British and very charming effort that's as predictable as it is beautiful, a subtly funny and suitably sappy affair that's enjoyable from beginning to end. It's not particularly complex and it also has a few pacing and narrative issues (primarily in both its opening moments and when it takes a turn into more conventional territory in its latter third). However, it's simply lovely overall. Its faux-documentary aesthetic is mostly maintained and often elevates its comedy; the approach's most effective moment is actually when a frantic Brian yells at a cameraman to get out of his way. There's an undercurrent of sadness to several scenes and, even if it isn't fully explored, it allows the piece to push past its potentially saccharine nature to feel more emotionally rounded. Plus, Charles Petrescu is one of the most likeable characters in recent years, actively feeling like an actual person and spewing a surprising amount of meme-worthy content in the process. That's not to say that Brian isn't likeable as well. In fact, they're a genuinely iconic pair in their own way. Ultimately, this is an enjoyable, funny and heartfelt feature that stands out from the crowd despite being relatively generic at its core.

Cool concept and great chemistry, otherwise somewhat dull

[chenp-54708 · 5/10 · 7 July 2022]

Originally Premiered at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition Selection.

Brian and Charles is about Brian is a lonely inventor in rural Wales who spends his days building quirky, unconventional contraptions that seldom work. Undeterred by his lack of success, he soon attempts his biggest project yet. Build a robot. This is based on the original short film also called "Brian and Charles" and having seen the original short film, it's very sweet and wholesome to watch. It's interesting to readapt a short film to turn it into a feature length project. However after watching this, I feel like the short film has more wholeness rather than the film itself. No doubt that Jim Archer has a good idea of what the movie is going for but it's overall pretty basic and dull film.

David Earl's performance is great and most of the cast members do a really good job playing quirky, dry and odd like performances to capture their characters. There are some good camerawork, nice production designs and good sound designs throughout. Those were some of the main highlights of those movies. But at the end of the day, I wasn't really on the movie because I didn't find the story to be as investing as I was hoping for.

Most of the characters wasn't investable as it did feel like some of the characters were there to fill in for plot conveniences rather to add some kind of substance to the story. Some of the dialogue does feel a little rough. Some of the humor did work for me but for the most part, I didn't really find it to be as funny as many others have said.

By the end of the day, there isn't much to talk about because it's just a basic comedy that felt a little stretched out. I wish the movie did explore some themes but it unfortunately wasn't able to and it felt a little lacking at the end. It's still a well made movie with some nice wholesome moments but I don't feel like watching it again any time soon.

However, a little fun note, stay after the credits...

Rating: C+

Brian and Charles -- One Man's Trash is Another Man's Treasure

[PlotThicc · 8/10 · 19 June 2022]

If you like "Lars and the Real Girl" you'll love Brian and Charles.

Brian and Charles is a mockumentary about socially awkward hoarder and oddball inventory named Brian who builds a companion robot from a pile of junk.

He names his robot Charles who soon takes on a life of its own becoming more adventurous than his safe creator Brian.

Charles informs himself by reading the dictionary and becomes quite curious about the outside world -- the world beyond the borders of Brian's isolated Welsh quarters.

Charles craves adventure, unlike Brian who wants to live a boring and obscure life -- free from heartbreak and danger.

Brian's an endearing creature who collects junk which he uses to alter household appliances that he claims as new innovations -- totally oblivious that these contraptions are made worse.

This is a metaphor for how Brian sees himself and how he presents himself to this phantom documentary crew that's documenting his mundane life. Brian's a disheveled hermit, obtuse and discard, like a pile of junk that nobody wants. That's how Brian sees himself.

So he builds a better Brian from that pile of junk. A robot who's willing to experience life.

This is a heartwarming story about fear, loneliness and the importance of human connection.

I highly recommend this film.

Robot story needs a lot of credulity

[chong_an · 6/10 · 25 June 2022]

Brian is a rural loner, junk scavenger, hoarder, handyman, tinkerer, and inventor (the results of which are not commercially viable). At one point he builds a robot, which comes alive and sentient, and accepts the name Charles. While Charles read the dictionary and is a font of knowledge, he is emotionally somewhere between a 3-year-old and a teenager. Charles has about the opposite personality to Brian - inquisitive and adventurous, rather than private and secure. I feel that their relationship is more overprotective parent and child, rather than "friends". While Charles manages to help Brian get a real girl, things get dangerous when he comes to the attention of the town bully.

This is told (at least in part) as a mockumentary, with a brief interchange with a mockmentary crew member about AI, which Brian seems to be hazy about. That is well and good (and needed) when Brian is alone, but where is the crew when he interacts with more people? Also, Brian turns out to be an inadequate parent, giving Charles commands rather than information and reasoning. So these defects push my score down to a 6.

This is a Welsh film, and so has a different sensibility than a stereotype American film. It is more gentle, and even the violence is rather muted, which could be a draw for some people.

Weird

[benprichardsdotcom · 4/10 · 24 July 2022]

Don't misunderstand me, I like weird cinema. I've watched and enjoyed Gaspar Noe, Lars Von Trier and even David Lynch as a more accessible weirdo. But something about the world of Brian and Charles just didn't resonate.

Firstly, the film is written in a very, very heavy handed way. The antagonists are probably the thinnest written, working class tropes you're ever likely to encounter. And actually the humour in this, ahem, comedy punches down in ways that the writers are clearly unaware of. I can laugh, like the rest of us, at mental illness, Tourettes, fart jokes, irreverent humour but for me there has to be an acknowledgement, an awareness by the comic of what you're doing - as a matter of respect to the recipients of your down-punching. I never got the sense that both writers were respectful of this.

Anyway, I actually thought this was going to be an interesting love story between a social outcast and a hulking male robot and, I wouldn't mind seeing that story. In the same week that a bloke was sacked from Google for saying in the press that he was working on an AI that he believed had become sentient, there is a rich arena of ideas to be explored. This is what probably is most disappointing about Brian and Charles: it doesn't know what film it wants to be. The label says COMEDY but it's just not funny enough and it's not intelligent enough to explore the likelihood of love/pathos emerging between humans and robots.

Brian and Charles: A Heartwarming Story of Friendship, but more weird than funny

[cxzvuvu · 6/10 · 9 December 2023]

Brian and Charles is a lighthearted comedy about a lonely oddball named Brian (David Earl).

Living alone in rural England, Brian spends his days inventing useless contraptions in his converted cow shed.

A mockumentary-style film follows Brian as he stumbles through life and scavenges parts to create all kinds of "inventions" until he manages to create a robot named Charles (Chris Hayward) that miraculously comes to life.

What follows is a sweet and sometimes funny evolution of the friendship between Brian and Charles and then the introduction of a potential love interest, Hazel (Louise Brealy), until the town bully Eddie (Jamie Michie) steals Charles and attempts to burn him at the village bonfire.

The film is well acted, with each character feeling fleshed out and believable; the predictable story and comedy that often falls flat ultimately make this an interesting watch but not something that could be recommended to most.