Brian Gittens is a character not unlike the sad-sack character he played in the Ricky Gervais comedy series, Afterlife.
Brian lives on a Welsh farm and spends his time inventing things. Some of his inventions, such as a flying cuckoo clock, are useful, but most are not. He is trying to create something that will get him recognition, but so far his inventions have not been successful. ..
Hayward’s luck changes when he creates a robot using the various bits and pieces that he has assembled in his “infamous inventions pantry” (aka his cowshed). These pieces include an old washing machine and a mannequin head, but when he flips a switch to activate his creation, it unsurprisingly fails to work. ..
Brian’s ramshackle creation, a tin-pot man, comes to life on the night of a thunderstorm after being joined by a mouse. The likely reason for the robot’s awakening is a lightning bolt from the storm. ..
Charles the Robot decides to leave Brian and go on his own. This leaves Brian feeling lonely and abandoned.
The robot’s question is a rhetorical one, but it’s an important one. It asks the question of whether or not the robot has any control over his own life. Is he just a toy, living in a world of green fields and friendly animals? Or is there something more to him than meets the eye?
Charles is increasingly frustrated by his limited existence. This is of great concern to Brian, partly because he doesn’t want to lose his new companion and partly because he is worried for Charles’s safety.
Brian and his robot are in danger from a family that terrorizes the local community. Eddie, the head of the family, decides that he wants Charles for himself. This makes Brian and his robot very vulnerable.
However, as the film progresses, the subplot involving Eddie and his bullying clan takes over and it becomes a bit more serious. We are not privy to their conversations or their thoughts as they deal with the consequences of their actions, which makes for a less enjoyable experience. The relationship between Brian and Charles is still quite humorous but it is not the focus of the film.
Charles is a very emotionless man, but he has moments of childlike excitement and happiness. David Earl, the film’s narrator, also has moments of humor where he shares his off-the-wall thoughts with whoever is supposed to be watching him. ..
The film’s main focus is on the relationship between Brian and Eddie, but it also includes the visits of their families. While the focus on the relationship may make the movie feel more sentimental, it also makes it more sinister in tone. The film retains its sense of humour, but moments of bleak horror creep in that make the movie feel more sinister in tone.
This is a bromance movie, despite some traumatic scenes and the occasional similarity to the Frankenstein movies of old. It’s easy to fall in love with both characters, Brian for his optimistic and caring nature and Charles for the child-like curiosity that endears him to us, despite his odd and slightly frightening appearance. You will have no trouble believing in their story, as unusual and ridiculous as it is, and you will be rooting for a happy outcome for them both as the story runs its course.
Brian and Charles is an odd and quirky movie that shouldn’t be taken too seriously. Cynics might want to give it a miss but if you can buy into the fairytale aspects of the story, you should have a good time with this one. Just be careful not to let your kids see the movie, not because they are too young (the movie is rated PG), but because you might come home one day to find them playing dress-up with your washing machine! ..
Brian and Charles ended their relationship after a year of dating. They had been together for two years before they decided to end things. They had been on two different paths and didn’t see eye-to-eye on many things.
