“Brazil” makes almost no sense whatsoever but it does fill the screen with many memorable visuals. The movie feels although it was directly lifted from the mind of its director, Terry Gilliam (“Monty Python and the Holy Grail”, “Time Bandits”). “Brazil” takes on a visual journey while its plot veers off into increasingly bizarre directions.

Set in a futuristic totalitarian society, “Brazil” follows Sam Lowry (Jonathan Pryce “Glengarry Glen Ross”), a humble civil servant that daydreams about soaring among the clouds. When Lowry tries to correct an administrative error, he is plunged down a dangerous path that ultimately leads to him becoming a target of the state.

Jonathan Pryce is likeable as Sam. Arguably the best scene in the movie involves Sam fighting for his table with a co-worker in the room next door. Robert De Niro (“Goodfellas”) has a role as Harry Tuttle, who goes around fixing heating systems without government approval. The character’s significance is not particularly clear. Other cast members include Ian Holm (“Alien”), Bob Hoskins (“Hook”) and Michael Palin (“The Missionary”) so there are quite a lot of big names in here. There are also some strange beings that Sam sees when he dreams, these include a large samurai and indescribable creatures that wear masks.

“Brazil” seems although it wants to combine “Metropolis”, “Monty Python” and “Flash Gordon”. This is a really strange film littered with spectacular visuals but it is incredibly hard to follow this sci-fi flick. I’m recommending merely because I believe the spectacle of the amazing sets and creative visuals is worth it but I would be lying if I said I cared or even understood much about the plot. It belongs in the same subgenre of sci-fi films as “Total Recall” and “The Naked Lunch”. Terry Gilliam has provided us with an experience that seems completely unfiltered and it is therefore unsurprising to learn that he had to battle with the studio to get it released the way he wanted it to be. My recommendation is only a minor one but it is nevertheless a recommendation.