Review of The Boys from Brazil (1978) by Adam B — 12 May 2011
An interesting and well acted film that, whilst never reaching the heights that it's cast might at first make you think it could, does succeed in keeping you entertained and intrigued throughout. It's a fanciful story, peppered with moments of high tension and utter ridiculousness in equal measure.
Directed in a very workmanlike fashion, it is up to the cast to provide the flair that the film is in such dire need of as it marches along. Olivier is certainly up to the task, giving a captivating and convincing portrayal of a man who could so easily have been prone to caricature.
Gregory Peck on the other hand (who wasn't first choice for this role) really turns the evil up to 11 and you are left with a Bond villain rather than a seriously threatening character. The rest of the cast do their jobs well enough, and the whole things rumbles on for about two hours and you get the requisite number of revelations and evil-doing along the way.
On the whole then, it wont go down in history as the interesting 1970s sci-fi historical drama it may have hoped for, but it's a good afternoons viewing, if only for the great performance by Olivier.
This review of The Boys from Brazil (1978) was written by Adam B on 12 May 2011.
The Boys from Brazil has generally received positive reviews.
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