Brian and Charles

Brian is alone and isolated, to overcome his loneliness, he builds a new robot, named Charles, like cake making he wanted a Victoria sponge, but instead got a blancmange.

I'll be honest, I watched the first five minutes, and I wasn't convinced, ready to switch it off, however, I decided to stick with it, and I'm so glad I did, I really am, and only wish I'd saved it.

Don't expect to learn much about why Brian has ended up in this situation, they don't actually go into it, all we get is what's on the surface, he's definitely a troubled Soul, the focus is more on his newly found sense of companionship, his unquestionable positivity.

It's funny, it's sad, it's quirky, it's like nothing else I've ever seen before. No special effects, no heavy music, it's low budget, but there in lies the charm, it is rewardingly heart warming, it works on so many levels.

I associate David Earl with two shows, two favourites of mine, Afterlife and Derek, you see just what a talented actor he is here, it's such a different, well measured performance, credit to him.

Just lovely.

8/10.

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"Brian and Charles will definitely end up as one of the most endearing, funniest, feel-good stories of the whole year. Jim Archer takes David Earl and Chris Hayward's original screenplay and uses their extraordinary, amusing performances to bring to life a narrative about true friendship and authentic human connections.

The light humor consistently forces the audience to let go of strong, loud laughs, either through genuinely hilarious interactions between the two protagonists or using physical comedy and brilliant song selection.

It may not be never-seen-before content or as inventive as expected, but it manages to deliver a memorable, entertaining, heartfelt story with beautiful messages.

A must-watch!"

Rating: A-

I was trying to kill some time and take a little break from a boring conference I was attending. There was multiplex cinema next door to conference center and the film "Brian and Charles" was playing there. I had no idea what the film was about but decided to go on impulse. Wow, I couldn't be more delighted with what I experienced. It is a charming film about a relationship between a man and a robot he invented. It is funny and heartwarming with wonderful performances and beautiful cinematography depicting the rugged land and stark beauty of Wales.

The humor in the film is subtle and refreshingly clever. The main characters are well developed and believable. In short if you need a little pick me up and a feel good experience I cannot recommend this little film enough.

If you like "Lars and the Real Girl" you'll love Brian and Charles.

Brian and Charles is a mockumentary about socially awkward hoarder and oddball inventory named Brian who builds a companion robot from a pile of junk.

He names his robot Charles who soon takes on a life of its own becoming more adventurous than his safe creator Brian.

Charles informs himself by reading the dictionary and becomes quite curious about the outside world -- the world beyond the borders of Brian's isolated Welsh quarters.

Charles craves adventure, unlike Brian who wants to live a boring and obscure life -- free from heartbreak and danger.

Brian's an endearing creature who collects junk which he uses to alter household appliances that he claims as new innovations -- totally oblivious that these contraptions are made worse.

This is a metaphor for how Brian sees himself and how he presents himself to this phantom documentary crew that's documenting his mundane life. Brian's a disheveled hermit, obtuse and discard, like a pile of junk that nobody wants. That's how Brian sees himself.

So he builds a better Brian from that pile of junk. A robot who's willing to experience life.

This is a heartwarming story about fear, loneliness and the importance of human connection.

I highly recommend this film.

This film could really teach the Hollywood, big budget movies a thing or two.

It's the simple tale of a lonely inventor who invents a robot out of what is lying around his dilapidated Welsh farm.

Simply told in a documentary style, the dreariness off the weather and the landscape play alongside the loneliness and awkwardness of our protagonist.

The equally socially awkward love interest is excellently done as is all the acting in the movie. Brian Earl, who steals all the scenes alongside Ricky Gervais in Afterlife and Derek, essentially plays the same character but dialled back a little.

Highly recommended.