12 Monkeys

Terry Gilliam, USA 1995, 130 minutes

Inspired by La Jetée this film has a seemingly straightforward story, a man from a disease ridden future goes back in time to find the virus and makes it more complicated than it seems, but in doing so makes it unnervingly addictive and into one of the best films of 1996.

Cole (Bruce Willis) is the man sent back in time to find the virus spread by the mysterious Army of the 12 Monkeys. The first of his problems is when he is taken insane in the 20th Century and referred to a psychiatrist (Madeleine Stowe) and thus the first of the list of the insoluble questions arise - just who is sane in this film? The second comes when he is committed and meets the unstable Jeffrey Goines (Brad Pitt) just who is responsible for the virus? The third lies at the heart of the film, will Cole be able to stop the virus or alter the future?

The questions this film poses form an everchanging puzzle that will keep you glued to the screen for the next two hours. Added to the compulsive plot are fantastic performances from the three principal characters. Especially worth seeing is the madly eccentric performance from Pitt, who gained an Oscar nomination for his part and proved he is not about to turn into another Keanu Reeves (i.e. crap).

Following the same Orwellian set design as 1984 this is Gilliam at his best. Scenes such as the animals running across the Golden Gate bridge are awe inspiring and the film itself will leave you breathless, confused but breathless.

"There's a seductive, poetic beauty to Gilliam's wonderfully crafted movie which manages to stimulate the intellect as well as the eye ****" - Empire

Review by Andrew Hesketh
Taken from EUFS Programme 1996-97