Ryan McNeil
What Lindsay Said… It’s an adventure film with a Monty Python sensibility.
Somewhere along the way, I caught up with almost all of Terry Gilliam’s filmography. With only two films left unseen, I present two absolutes on the man and his methods:
His films are always wildly imaginative, and his films exist on a razor’s edge between success and failure.
I knew about THE ADVENTURES OF BARON MUNCHAUSEN without knowing much of what happens within it thanks to that imagination. I remember seeing ads for it on TV as a kid, specifically seeing Robin Williams’ head spin immediately followed by Uma Thurman emerge from her shell. Later I would learn that the film was a commercial disaster. Prior to watching the movie, I thought that the film flopped because moviegoers at large don’t “get” Terry Gilliam. Now I can say with certainty – the film flopped because it was just “too much”.
I was right with the film as it took us from world to world, with capital-L-lavish sequences waiting after every chapter. It took me as a story meant to personify imagination, and make the grand adventures of The Baron come to life. From moment to moment it seemed to embody the sorts of tales my parents used to tell me at bed time.
But then…as it ends…or rather as it seems as though it should start to end…the film spends around twenty minutes solid just blowing up it’s own world. MUNCHAUSEN stages an audacious battle without any of the scope an audacious battle should come packaged with. It doesn’t undermine all of the delight that came before it, but it leaves this set of fables without any sort of moral.
Have you ever listened to someone tell a story, or give a speech, and realize that even they didn’t know what point they were trying to make? That’s MUNCHAUSEN. Actually, going back to Lindsay’s Monty Python point, the end of this film feels just marginally better than the ending of THE QUEST FOR THE HOLY GRAIL.
The edge between success and failure? Here’s where the scales tipped. This would mark a turning point in Gilliam’s career as the film was an unquestionable financial disaster. Before this moment, he usually got carte blanche. While he would right the ship quickly with projects like THE FISHER KING and TWELVE MONKEYS, he would never enjoy the true creative and financial freedom he had going into MUNCHAUSEN.
I don’t know if that is such a bad thing, but then again, I’m the one who believes rules and restrictions breed the best creativity. Gilliam obviously believes otherwise.
Lindsay was right, this film is certainly an adventure. Taken but by bit, it might even be the sort of adventure I wanted to take…to lands filled with floating-headed-people and flying pirate ships.
The ironic thing about my displeasure with MUNCHAUSEN is that of the five films I pulled, it was easily the one I was looking forward to the most. That said, I’m happy to report that of the five films I pulled, it was the only one that I didn’t like.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to watch BRAZIL.
I’ve heard people make comparisons between this and Don Quixote. Any truth to that? And if so, is like that Twilight movie that tries to compare itself favorably to Romeo and Juliet?
Sadly, I’ve never read Don Quixote so I can’t make a full comparison. That said, I’d have a hard time keeping it together if I was ever sitting at a table with someone who compared TWILIGHT to R&J.
I thought that’s what the whole second Twilight was supposed to be about. Shakespeare’s rolling in his grave…
Ah. Well in that case I couldn’t tell you. I read the first book, watched the first movie, and realized that neither version of the tale was for me.
Aww sorry you didn’t like this one. It’s not my favorite Gilliam but I am a fan, mostly for its fantastic imagery and the wealth of awesome supporting characters. I love Jonathan Pryce in this especially, but then I love Jonathan Pryce in everything! I know it has problems, and I know Gilliam doesn’t look on it fondly, but it was always fun for me. It’s been a few years since I’ve watched it though.
I did love Jonathan Price (as I always do), along with Uma and Idle in this film…and I did love all of that fantastical imagery! Sadly though, I’m not sure Gilliam knew when to say “when”. Oh well, with only two films left to see, this stands as one of the only two Gilliam films I didn’t love (with Brotehrs grimm being the other)…not a bad track record!
Great review. I think that what you said about Gilliam’s films being “on a razor’s edge between success and failure” is spot-on.
Have you seen many of his others? His filmography would make for a stellar blog-a-thon.
Off the top of my head I can say I’ve seen Brothers Grimm, 12 Monkeys, Brazil, Dr. Parnassus but I’m sure there’s more.
Track down Monty Python’s Holy Grail, Time Bandits, The Fisher King, and Fear & Loathing (and be warned that the last one is wickedly cuckoo)
I’ll make sure to watch Fear and Loathing (I know it’s a very polarizing picture so I’d like to know where I stand) and a little Monty Python, even if its just to know what they’re about.
I liked this one Ryan, but I’ll confess its been awhie, so your points probably have validity, and its my recollection that falters.
I recall liking the final battle though, I thought it was silly and madcap and everyone got to show their mystical skillz. 😀
Funny then that it’s that final battle that took me out of the film. It might have been something that would have played better to my younger self…or for that matter, it might play better in a theatre where that finale would lend itself more to sensory bombardment.
I didn’t hate it, but of the five I pulled for this series, it was easily the one I liked the least.