The movie
Show notes
Something wondrous happens when you build a robot from a washing machine. “Brian and Charles,” the finale of The Next Reel’s Thinking Machines series, follows Brian (David Earl), a lonely Welsh inventor, and Charles Popescu (Chris Hayward), the AI companion Brian assembles—who promptly learns English from a dictionary and wants to see the world. Louise Brealey co-stars as Hazel. Pete and Andy dig into what makes Charles Popescu work—Hayward’s sightless performance, the voice design, and why the amateurishness is right. The docu-style drives debate: Andy finds it inconsistently applied; Pete says the gap between promise and absurdity is where the comedy lives. We have a great time talking about it, so check it out then tune in—The Next Reel on TruStory FM, when the movie ends, our conversation begins! 🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube! 🎬 Watch & Discover Watch the Film: Apple TV | Amazon | Letterboxd Original Short Film Original Theatrical Trailer If You Liked This Conversation, Try These from the Next Reel Family: The Next Reel—Thinking Machines Series —the full run leading here; see how Brian and Charles lands as a closer after everything that came before The Next Reel—The Banshees of Inisherin —both films competed for Outstanding British Film at the same BAFTAs; see how the conversation compares Movies We Like—Re-Recording Mixer Andy Nelson on Local Hero —another warmhearted British film rooted in a small community and a sense of place Movies We Like—Costume Designer Alana Morshead on Never Let Me Go —Alex Garland wrote the screenplay; he directed Ex Machina earlier in this series, and this is where his AI themes find their quietest form 🔓 The movie ends. The conversation goes further. Become a member. 🎧 Members get this episode early and ad-free in their private feed—plus every show in The Next Reel family. Support The Next Reel Family of Film Shows: Become a member for just $5/month or $55/year Join our Discord community of movie lovers The Next Reel Family of
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