Director JIM ARCHER goes in-depth in this exclusive interview talking about the challenges and joy of bringing the creative, charming, and oh-so-funny BRIAN AND CHARLES to life on the big screen.
It’s been a long journey for BRIAN AND CHARLES as it made its way from David Earl’s stand-up comedy as Brian to Chris Hayward’s joining the fun as Charles, then on to radio, and finally with director JIM ARCHER on board, coming to life as a short film and ultimately this wonderful feature. But whatever twists and turns BRIAN AND CHARLES took along the way, and however long it took to bring us this feature film, when you watch the film you’ll agree that it was all worth the wait.
Written by David Earl and Chris Hayward and directed by JIM ARCHER, David Earl also stars as Brian with Chris Hayward as Charles. BRIAN AND CHARLES is the story of a shy and lonely inventor named Brian. Sequestered in his little corner of a small Welsh town, Brian putters in his workshop creating things like a pine cone pouch, an Egg Belt, a Cabbage Shooter, a Super Shover, and more. Although none of his inventions are quite ready for the marketing mainstream, Brian never gives up trying, especially when he creates the grandest invention of all – a 9-foot tall robot made of washing machine parts. Sweet, intellectually curious, yet an emotional meld of a bratty child and cantankerous teen, Brian names his robot, Charles.
Brian is an odd but sweet duck. Charles looks like a meld between Jim Broadbent in his “Moulin Rouge!” days and Charles Nelson Reilly. Charles’ personality is that of perfect little kid brattiness with a cantankerous teen, although extremely sweet and intellectually curious. And who can’t relate to his incessant “I wanna” and “Are we there yet?” mantras? The story and the characters have real emotionality that is authentic and resonant with Jim Archer, together with David Earl and Chris Hayward, hitting every beat and then some, all of which is palpable thanks to not only David and Chris as our heroes, but a supporting cast of Louise Brealey, James Michie, Nina Sosanya, Lowri Izzard, and Mari Izzard.
But beyond the characters and the heart of Brian and Charles, the story tackles themes of bullying, kindness, parenting, letting go, following your dreams, and more.
Hannah Purdy Foggin’s production design that brings the creativity of Earl and Hayward to life is fabulous. From Brian’s garage workshop to the lived-in nature of his home to the charm of a small Welsh town, we are immersed in this world. But the strength of Brian’s character is that he lives in the mind and pure heart of a child, dreaming with all of his inventions and finding his joy within himself and his robotic (akin to an imaginary) friend. And those inventions are key to showing us who Brian is. Then it’s through Charles and his inquisitiveness that we see the world beyond the little town in Wales where they live.
Murren Tullett’s cinematography beautifully captures the metaphoric depression and doldrums of Brian with rain and grey skies, as well as honing in on the narrow stairways and low ceilings in his home, as well as the configuration of this property. We also feel the intimacy of the village. Joyous is a key third act scene where the sun comes out and the skies are blue as Charles gets the chance to spread his wings. (A serendipitous moment according to Jim Archer.) That joy is palpable in the giddy glee of the performances and in the lensing.
Needledrops are terrific as is the end credit score which is so adorably whimsical. And the end credits are a pure delight. . .and leave the film wide open for a sequel or series.
Talking with JIM ARCHER about BRIAN AND CHARLES, we cover every nut and bolt that went into making this film, from Jim becoming involved with David and Chris for the short and then moving on to a feature-length film, finding the perfect location, working with production designer Hannah Purdy Foggin, Murren Tullett’s cinematography and the logistic challenges of shooting in halls, doorways, cars and scene settings thanks to Hayward’s 9-foot tall over-sized costume as well as low ceilings and narrow corridors, score and needledrops, casting (we have some villains!), the important collaboration with David and Chris in bringing the characters of Brian and Charles to life, and of course, the challenges of editing as he worked with editor Jo Walker to find the pacing and heartbeat of the film.
TAKE A LISTEN. . .
by debbie elias, exclusive interview 06/07/2022
