Terry Gilliam’s 1985 film "Brazil" presents a poignant critique of bureaucracy and its dehumanizing effects, particularly evident in the moment when Sam Lowry delivers a wrongful arrest refund to a grieving widow. This scene starkly highlights the disparity between government actions and personal loss. Gilliam remarked that he didn't view the film as futuristic but as a reflection of his present in the late '70s. As decades have passed, the film's themes remain relevant, reflecting ongoing societal issues, particularly in the context of government overreach in recent times. Criterion's 4K release marks its 40th anniversary but offers little new beyond past extras.
It’s an unbearably awkward moment for Sam, who believes—actually believes—he's doing the right thing by presenting the check to the widow in person.
Gilliam said of "Brazil" that when he wrote it, he wasn't thinking of it as a futuristic movie. For him, it was Present Day, how he saw the world.
It's the film's most devastating moment, and we watch it knowing full well that it hits close to home for many Americans today.
Brazil is a movie that keeps growing and changing every decade or so... It's a different movie today, perhaps more Present Day than ever.
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