Brilliantlove (2010)

Most art movies fall over because of their pretentiousness. This one is bad because it is, well, bad. Incredibly badly made. It doesn't have enough plot to even aspire to being pretentious. Throw in some very weak performances and you have a craptacular movie.The initial idea wasn't that original to start off, and reminded me of 9 Songs (for a few reasons...). However, 9 Songs had a reasonable plot, OK performances and some fantastic music. Not a great movie, but it was OK.BrilliantLove, on the other hand, has nothing going for it. It just seems to drift throughout, with no point, unlikable characters and very lacklustre performances.Avoid.

About 3/4 the way through the movie, Manchester is at an art opening featuring his photos of Noon. Noon, who was unaware that photos of their perfect romance were going to be made public for everyone to gawk at, storms out after slapping Manchester. Manchester reacts by becoming sloppy drunk, calling everyone's attention, spouting out a bunch of drunk, insulting, nonsense, then suggesting that everyone participate in an on-the-spot orgy. He starts it off by pulling down his pants and playing with himself. His audience reacts by applauding his every word and action, as if he's a fount of high minded creativity with a deep understanding of the meaning of life.I feel as if Manchester represented this movie, and his audience represented its adoring critics. And I'm the lone person who found this movie to be not just a disappointment, but down right insulting.I think much of it could've worked if only I cared about the characters, but I just didn't.

I'd never heard of Brilliantlove, the production company, director or any of the cast and so on. Discovered it when browsing through a mate's eclectic DVD collection... He said, "watch this, it's a little gem" - And I concur - I was pleasantly surprised. (I'm an action movie with explosions and CGI overload lover!) I won't go into the plot, other reviewers do a good job of this. Just want to say, I thoroughly enjoyed this little film - a low-budget British production with high production values: it looks nice, the garage is great in it's shabbiness, the cast are wonderful esp. the two leads who have genuine on-screen chemistry and are totally believable as a couple.I liked the quirky-yet-sweet Noon with her wonderfully random hair styles and chipped nails with the floppy-haired, bendy-bodied Manchester. The couple are happy and funny: they laugh, they love, they are mad and random, yet endearing and vulnerable.I am (like another reviewer) rather taken aback at the low score for this film, as not only has every review I've read has been positive, but it deserves better. A simply told drama with realism and quality - and love behind the camera - it is a winner for me. Especially when unexpected and without hype. I haven't watched a more refreshing, enjoyable, well-put-together little film in... well, I can't remember when!

I was fortunate to be one of the first to see this at the EIFF press screening. I haven't felt a film speak so honestly before. Here we have two characters Manchester and Noon, tangled in a sexually fuelled and intense relationship. They both live for the moment and everything outside their world threatens their together-ness. The film focuses heavily on racy, intimate scenes between the pair. The chemistry between the two is very believable, I especially enjoyed Noons character played by Nancy Trotter Landry. her angelic face catches every single moment of emotion and you are sometimes taken aback at how filthy she is during the film. I also commend Liam Browne who plays Manchester for being brave enough to show his genitals whether urinating or being frozen cold. I haven't seen a film like this where a relationship is so thoroughly sexually explored.The plot of the film is lacking slightly but I feel it is contrasts the mundane northern feel. Nevertheless very good acting and I was fixed to my sit throughout. This feels like the way British cinema should be going, bold, brash and modern.