BRIAN AND CHARLES

Director: Jim Archer

2022, UK

Screenwriter: David Earl and Chris Hayward

Cast: David Earl, Chris Hayward, Louise Brealey, Jamie Michie, Nina Sosanya

 

Artificial intelligence (AI) has inspired directors in a dizzying variety of genres: horror, thriller, romance, social commentary, sci-fi and more. So three cheers to first-time British director Jim Archer, for finding comedy in the friendship between a lonely inventor Brian (David Earl, the postman in Ricky Gervais’ After Life) and his ramshackle creation, the cabbage-obsessed Charles (Chris Hayward). Brian lives an isolated life in rural Wales, determined to create new inventions, though few of them get off the drawing board. Charles, however, made largely from a washing machine, is something altogether different: a robot with a mind of his own. And like any “child,” he goes from adoring his creator to whining “Why won’t you take me Hawaii?” Low-key, droll and quirky in that special English manner, Archer’s film celebrates all of us who are made to feel different. Winner of the Audience Favorite Award at the 2022 Sundance Festival.

“Hilarious performances…One of the most unexpected heart-warmers of the summer! “– Randy Myers, Mercury News.