6.8 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
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.
Starring: David Earl, Chris Hayward (III), Louise BrealeyComedy | 100% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 0.5 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Brian and Charles is one of the more peculiar films of recent memory. It's a very simplistic story on its surface: it's the story of a man with little in the way of social skills who builds himself a companion robot. Throughout the film, he flirts with the possibility of love and faces the very real dangers of bullying (yes, even in adulthood). Deeper, however, is a look at humanity, the need for companionship, and the very real differences that are manifest in the physical, mental, and emotional realms that can bring people together, pull them apart, or draw them into awkward isolation. The lead character is a tinkerer who thinks more highly of his inventions than they are really worth, but they nevertheless provide him a sense of purpose and a feeling of accomplishment, even if it's just affixing a bottle to a plunger handle to have easy access to a soothing beverage while doing the nasty work of unclogging a pipe. There are really people like this out there, and it's nice to see even the most bizarre of humanity to be put in the spotlight of what turns out to be a really good little film.
Universal releases Brian and Charles to Blu-ray with a proficient 1080p transfer. The film was digitally shot, and the digital image transfers very nicely to the Blu-ray format. The picture is fairly clean, though some mild noise does crop into frame in most lower-light shots. Overall clarity is fine, boasting good, efficient textures throughout, which are vital when the camera lingers, for example, on Brian's shop full of junk and odds and ends, and of course on the sweater Charles wears throughout the film. Various exterior locales are likewise sharp, down to grass and tree trunks and other qualities and characteristics in the natural world. Close-ups offer satisfying complexity, nothing to really blow the seasoned Blu-ray viewer away, but certainly complex enough to satisfy format expectations. Colors are fine, offering good stability, nice saturation, and neutral temperature and contrast. Black levels can get a little dense and veer towards crush (look at the 1:02:45 for an example). White balance is OK, and flesh tones look fine. This is hardly a memorable 1080p image, but it satisfies base requirements.
Like the video presentation, there is nothing at all remarkable with this DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. The film's audio needs are quite simple, but the track does open up on occasion for a slightly fuller and more satisfying listening experience. There is some nice spacing and heft to some thunder around the 14-minute mark, and some impressive space and yield to music a few moments later. Gently immersive falling rain at the 41:57 mark is another moment of note. However, most of the track is very simple, with straightforward cues, limited ambience, and frankly not much going on. Dialogue is the main component, and Universal's track presents the spoken word with faultless center placement, good prioritization, and natural lifelike quality.
This Blu-ray release of Brian and Charles contains only one supplement: a Gag Reel (1080p, 3:16). No other extras are included. The release does not include a "top menu" screen. The bonus feature, as well as on-screen subtitle options, must be accessed by a simplistic in-film pop-up menu that reduces the film to a thumbnail. No DVD or digital copies are included with purchase. This release does not ship with a slipcover.
Brian and Charles is unique, and that is a quality that is far too lacking in today's cinema landscape. It's unique in approach, characterization, and even narrative superficial simplicity, all of which is balanced by a wonderfully deep story that audiences will think about for a long time after the film. It's not pretentious about it, either. It nicely balances that look at fringe humanity with great potential for emotional and psychological exploration which should keep the film playing for years to come. Universal's Blu-ray is very disappointing in terms of its lack of extras beyond a gag reel. However, the video and audio presentations are fine. Recommended!
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