Terry Gilliam’s Brazil certainly deserves credit for being ahead of its time. Originally conceived with the tongue-in-cheek working title 1984 ½, the film was clearly intended as a nod to Orwell’s 1984. While it doesn’t reach the same thematic depth as Orwell’s work, it still offers an interesting take on a dystopian world suffocated by bureaucracy and absurdity. Gilliam had hoped to release the film in 1984, further highlighting the connection, but delays pushed the release to 1985.

Despite its ambitions, the film struggled to hold my interest. While it touches on intriguing themes of totalitarianism and societal control, it never fully explores them in a meaningful way. The film often felt more concerned with its eccentric style than with delving into its deeper ideas. As a result, it dragged in places, making the narrative feel stretched and unfocused.

The writing, though imaginative, occasionally fell flat, and the absurdity that initially drew me in began to feel repetitive. While I can appreciate what Gilliam was attempting, especially in the context of its time, Brazil ultimately lacks the nuance I was hoping for. A decent film for its era, but one that, in my opinion, doesn’t hold up as well today.

6/10