Merde!

Review of "The Brothers Grimm"

Tonight after performing some free labor at the theatre I used to work in my husband and I were rewarded with a preview of the the new Terry Gilliam flick. I'm grateful for a free movie. Especialy after watching it. (Glad I didn't spend $10). As it is I went in with low expectations: a slightly humourous/ridiculous film with some horror elements and a little action. Wow. Not low enough.

Good points: Visually this movie was gorgeous and spot on. The sets were extremely well done as were the costumes and the out door shooting. Very good, A+. For the most part the acting was above par, but we'll get to that. Also the music accompanied the visuals perfectly and was not too strong or too soft. (hehheh, it was just right) Some of the score was quite pretty. Finally, the concept was really cool. I mean the Brothers Grimm as con men who end up in a real faerie tale. Pretty neat. However. . .

Poor Points: Right at the opening we find out the year is 1796 in 'French Occupied Germany' and then. What! Inside of a magistrates office hangs a portrait of Napoleon. HUH?!?! The painting is done in a similar style to a David that was done when Napoleon was in his forties. He was 26 and a GENERAL in Italy during this time. He did not even become First Consul until several years after the action of this film takes place. How stupid. I could forgive this and started out liking the film, even finding it funny. Yet as we continue on the movie is lost in the many directions it tries to go. Firstly, important story elements change. A village is losing its girls. Where are they? I don't want to put spoilers, but let me just say that the backstory changes. Additionally an important character states "I know what happened. Hundreds of years ago ____ killed all your ancestors" HAHAHAHAH. Had this truly been done the village could not exist. Duh. A lot of subtle mistakes and flip flops occur throughout the story. Actors change accents. And why is it that two Germans have British accents? UGH! This is a film about storytellers and it has really a story made of scheisse. To make matters worse the depiction of the French is incredibly offensive and unnecessary. Life only two hundred years ago is portrayed as having conditions worse than the most stereotypical B grade movie about the middle ages. The French mercilessly torture and kill and perform incredibly stupid tortures at that. One particularly disgusting scene involves a small furry baby animal being accidentally kicked into a giant whirring blade and splattered across the walls as a violin quartet plays. A French general then eats the splattered piece off of his check and says "Mmm". WHAT?! There are plenty of dumb allusions to fairy tales and any Monty Python fan will recognize homages to the show. However, this film wallows in meanness and lacks any of the charm of any Monty Python's most offensive film and sketches. Other scenes seem ripped out of recent movies, such as a scene that seems identical to one in "The Village". The movie strains between ridiculous and serious never deciding which one it will be. Really it's a shame as the actors seem so caught up and really do a fine job.

Bottom Line: If you want a movie that tricks you into thinking you've had a good time through awesome visuals, great music, and for the most part heartfelt acting, then go see this. However, do not expect a whimsical horror-comedy. This movie is base. If you are ever troubled by the logic behind movies or the story then you probably will not care for this film.

My recommendation would be that if you want a slightly ridiculous and somewhat dark film about a fairy tale situation then rent a Tim Burton film or wait for Corpse Bride.

Oh let me leave you with another positive. There was a preview for the upcoming movie "The Exorcism of Emily Rose". This looks extremely promising. Here's hoping.