Grimm
I sat down and watched The Brothers Grimm last night, Terry Gilliam’s most recent film foray, and was delighted by it. Okay, so there are plot holes you could build a gingerbread house in. Yes, it’s odd that the French are defined by their cod-accents and overacting while the Germans are allowed to have proper performances and speak with perfect English accents. Admittedly, the CGI is ropey as hell in places.
But, but, but…
I loved it. There’s a huge charm to the piece, which is a slightly more mature spiritual descendent of Gilliam’s brilliant Jabberwocky. Matt Damon and Heath Ledger carry the film with enormous finesse and likeability, allowing you to dismiss the slightly misplaced hamminess of the supporting cast (no need for the pantomime antics at all, as Ledger and Damon demonstrate). Most impressive though are the visuals and ideas behind them. Go on, talk to me about the spectacularly creepy spider-possessed horse, or the mud boy who steals faces and children, or the brilliantly realised haunted forest. These are the things I seek out in modern cinema – things I haven’t seen before, that I haven’t even thought of. The Brothers Grimm offered them in spades. Go and find out for yourself.
Leave a Reply