Brian And Charles is a wonderful celebration of English eccentricity and awkwardness. The film is a cosy and often heart-warming blend of rural fantasy, light ‘n’ cringe-inducing comedy, and bumbling romance. It tells of coming through a difficult time middle-aged inventor, who decides he’s going build a robot- to help him around his cluttered countryside cottage, play darts, and oh eat cabbage with him. Here from Mediumrare Entertainment, is a Blu-Ray release of the film.
 

Brian And Charles is a 2022 film shot in and around a rolling ‘n’ rugged hills set Welsh village. It’s the debut film feature from Jim Archer- whose other credits taking a few brit TV show episodes for the likes of coming-of-age comedy-drama The Young Offenders, relationship comedy Down In London, and heartfelt sitcom Big Boys. And the film is written/ scripted by its two lead actors David Earl and Chris Hayward.  
 
The film focuses on the slightly greying and socially awkward Brian- played wonderfully by David Earl, who has appeared in a few Ricky Gervais projects like Derek and After Life. Brian lives on the outskirts of a Welsh village, he’s just coming out of somewhat of a low period- and this has been helped by his wacky inventing, with items like an egg belt, pine comb bag, and flying cuckoo clock. One day while collecting junk for his next project, he comes across a male mankini head- and this triggers an idea, to build a robot. He goes to work, and fairly soon built from an old washing machine and a few other things he’s finished the balding grey with specs-headed robot. He flicks it switch, but nothing happens- but he shrugs it off while playing darts with himself.
 
Then one-night lighting strikes and the robot comes to life, Brian snoozers after all the excitement- finding the next morning the robot has been reading the dictionary all night and can talk.  The robot decides he wants to be known as Charles Petrescu (Chris Hayward)- and from  here Brian helps Charles get used to the world around him, teaches him how to dance, play darts and enjoy his favourite food Cabbage

Also brought into the mix we have the equally socially awkward thirty-some Hazel (Louise Brealey), timid-but kind village shopkeeper June(Cara Chase), and the villages bearded bully Eddie(Jamie Michie). As the film unfolds Charles wants to spread his wings somewhat, go into the village and possibly way beyond to places like Honolulu- after seeing it on a TV program.
 
Earl is a perfect fit for the awkward, but charming inventor. Hayward really brings to life the curious ‘n’ quirky Charles. And as the film unfolds, we shift between gentle comedy, awkward romance, and at times light action-lined fantasy. As well as humour, we also get some fairly tense and moving moments too. With the whole thing finished off with a buoyant and pleasing ambient electronica score.
 
Other than the film, the Blu-Ray disc features a few shot extras- a three-minute gag reel, just under a minute Q & A with Brian and Charles, and This or That around a two-minute interview with the pair again. So not a huge amount of stuff, but amusing nonetheless.

Brian And Charles is certainly one of the most charming and original comedy dramas I've seen in recent memory, and a true celebration English eccentricity and awkwardness. To see if it’s going to be your type of film do follow this trailer link - as I suspected it’s rather like Marmite, that other very distinctive English creation, and you'll either love or hate Brian And Charles, but I’m wholeheartedly in the former camp.