Synopsis
Comic Russell Brand uses drugs, sex and fame in a quest for happiness, only to find it remains elusive. As he explores iconic figures such as Gandhi, Malcolm X, Che Guevara, and Jesus, he transforms himself into a political antagonist.
Brand: A Second Coming
2015 Directed by Ondi Timoner
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BRAND: The Film
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It's an engaging, funny and interesting watch, but with this and The Emperor's New Clothes, I think we've had enough Brand docs for one year.
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Russell Brand asked Ondi Timoner to direct this and then Brand said he hated it and buried the release. It’s a good movie though and I’m glad a few directors are still willing to stand up to their subjects, rather than just making bullshit access journalism docs
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an interesting documentary and insight into a man's mind.
Of particular interest is the juxtaposition between Brand (who is branded as a comedian) speaking truths, while being condemned by a establishment upper crust, elitist BBC journalist, who seems totally unaware that he is the embodiment of exactly what Brand is talking about (all while saying that Brand's thoughts have no validity).
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Oddly maudlin and somehow in an attempt to make Brand seem more serious, it just made him look more ridiculous.
Stand out scene was when Noel Gallagher explained that there were no problems with being wealthy and everything was awesome.
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A fascinating, warts and all, biography. Love him or loathe him, you can't fault him for turning his life around and this captures so many key moments in his recovery. A shame it was finished before the Miliband interview though.
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It’s very hard to resist being persuaded by Russell Brand. His calls for revolution may lack detail, but they are full of the passion, humour and energy that has inspired so many.
At the same time you get the sense that as committed as Brand is to erasing inequality, this new politics is simply the latest outlet for his cosmic ego. The thing is, he knows it better than anybody.
Timoner embraces Brand’s contradictions with a comprehensive portrait from hell-raiser to revolutionary. It’s full of his most entertaining moments, but reads like a ‘Best-of’ clip show at times.
At best, Brand: A Second Coming feels like the comedy counterpart to the tragedy of his noughties contemporary, Amy. At worst, it’s like riding shotgun on the Brand ego machine.
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[Seen at SXSW 2015]
I wasn't expecting much from this film at all. Honestly, I was a bit disappointed that it was chosen as the SXSW Opening Night film. But I was way off.
I'd always known Brand the comedian and Brand the actor, but I guess I hadn't paid attention to what he's been doing the last few years. Turns out he's quite complex and rather compelling, a walking contradiction of sorts that accepts and publicizes his shortcomings while trying to make the world a better place. And Ondi Timoner does an excellent job of capturing those complexities in Brand: A Second Coming.
If you like Brand's, uh, brand of comedy, you'll enjoy this doc. And if you're drawn to stories of rich, unique characters, you'll enjoy it quite a bit.