The excitement a new Terry Gilliam movie usually arouses comes from an expectation of quality calibre, and the assumption that each new offering will be edged with cultish brilliance; The Brothers Grimm is no exception to the rule. Watching, as we have, Gilliam's attempts to hit the big screen with the excellence he has always hinted at, this big budget foray was his chance to shine in the mainstream at last. The end result nearly/maybe makes the wait worthwhile, but moves out of focus throughout the story, relentlessly chipping away at the support it almost had.

Matt Damon and Heath Ledger amply fill the shoes of the titular twosome, giving the appropriate quirkiness and trademark Gilliam wink-wink-nudge-nudgery to the characters. Ledger, in particular, gives the fable-obsessed younger brother Jacob much-needed individuality from the dastardly Damon's Will. Their double act flows naturally and charismatically, but is hampered mightily by the overacting and theatrical pantomime head-wagging of Italian henchman Cavaldi (Peter Stormare). Lena Heady, as love interest and trapper tomboy Angelika, gives the role all the seriousness she can; whether racing through the enchanted forest in search of a wolf, or licking a toad to point the heroes in the right direction. Her headstrong push and dedication to the role stops the ridiculous from seeming ridiculous, and gives some tension to this elaborate tale of haunted woodlands. A sidekick turn from soon-to-be-eternally-typecast Mackenzie Crook provides comedy and pathos, and the 'horror' element of the story sits nicely with these lighter moments. However, Monica Bellucci's witch could have done with some expansion, and perhaps a little more action!

Screenwriter Ehren Krugen leans more towards his wacky Scream 3 background, rather than the solemnity and tension of his Arlington Road days. He gives the script a caustic and self-defacing edge, poking fun at the Hollywood machine and even managing comic turns without too many asides to the camera. Gilliam clearly relishes the subject matter, and injects his own dirt and mayhem into the early centuries of French-occupied Germany. His direction is recognisable, though not by any means exemplary. Those awaiting his finest screen outing may have to wait longer!

The Brothers' adventures are interspersed with snippets from their famous stories in order to imply that all their tales were inspired by fact, and this brilliant mechanism allows fleeting moments of recognition to maintain the flow of the legend. Some comic turns and genuinely jumpy scenes pull The Brothers Grimm out of the mire, but unfortunately for fans of Gilliam, he has quite a way to go before he is out of the woods yet!

Rated 12A (see IFCO website for details)
The Brothers Grimm is released on 2nd Nov 2005.
The Brothers Grimm – Official website