Reel Chums

Brazil (1985) Is More Relevant Now Than Ever — Here's Why


Listen Later

Terry Gilliam's Brazil is one of the strangest, funniest, and most unsettling dystopian films ever made — and it's never felt more relevant. This week, Danny and Marcel close out Dystopian Film Month with the 1985 masterpiece, and they have a lot to say.

In this episode: the retrofuturistic production design that still holds up 40 years later, Jonathan Pryce's quietly devastating performance as Sam Lowry, and why the Tom Cruise/Madonna alternate casting almost happened. Danny and Marcel dig into what makes Sam such a fascinating (and frustrating) protagonist — a man who'd rather fly through his dreams than face the world around him — and debate whether the government's "terrorist threat" is even real. They also get into Gilliam's use of dark comedy to expose consumerism, bureaucratic absurdity, and the horror of willful apathy: the "I'm on my lunch break" scene hits very differently in 2025.

The Question of the Day: Have you ever had a recurring dream?

Next week: Reel Chums kicks off Gun-Fu Month.


📹 Follow us on socials:

Reel Chums Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reelchums/

Danny's Instagram: @rubio_tv

Marcel's Instagram: @marztrosity

Reel Chums Threads: @reelchums


Have something to say? Reach out at [email protected]

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Reel ChumsBy Marcel and Danny