Movie Review: ‘Brian And Charles’

Review by Lauryn Angel

Brian and Charles is a 21st-Century take on one of my favorite novels – Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. In this version, Brian (David Earl), a lonely Welsh inventor whose gadgets misfire more often than they work, decides to give his longtime dream a go and builds a robot out of the odds and ends he has in his shed – including a washing machine. Brian’s endeavors are dutifully recorded by a film crew – it’s never really explained why they are there, but Brian is almost painfully self-conscious of their presence.

The movie is a bit meandering until Brian’s robot awakens, and it is remarkably self-aware from the get-go. Unlike in Shelley’s novel, the creator embraces his creation, and Brian gleefully embraces the duty of teaching Charles (Chris Hayward) about the world. Charles embraces everything with a child-like wonder, but as he rapidly develops, he becomes increasingly petulant about not being allowed to go into town – or to Honolulu.

What unfolds is an utterly charming story about finding one’s place in the world, as both Brian and Charles embark on modest adventures – a relationship with Hazel (Louise Brealey) for Brian and experiencing life beyond the cottage for Charles. There is an antagonist who causes trouble for them both, resulting in hijinks and mild danger, but for the most part, the film is a charming comedy about the nature of friendship and what it means to care for another person – or sentient robot with a washing machine for a tummy.

Brian and Charles is an utterly delightful film, a lovely change of pace from summer blockbusters for those who don’t mind a slower pace.