The worst part of feeling lonely is when you’re so eager to connect with people, only lacking the opportunities to find like-minded individuals. The pandemic has cut a lot of people from their social settings, a dynamic that’s bound to grate on anyone, regardless of how much they’d prefer for that not to be the case. Oddballs need their communities too.

The film Brian and Charles centers its narrative on a charming, eccentric man who’s probably lived alone too long for his own good in a remote village in Wales. Brian (David Earl) loves making inventions, weird semi-functional objects that brighten up life more than they necessarily improve anything. The pairing of a mannequin and a washing machine brings to life Brian’s greatest invention.

Charles (Chris Hayward) is an absolutely ridiculous robot, not believable in any sense of the word. He’s also quite endearing, a childlike innocence hiding behind a healthy layer of sarcasm. The perfect companion for Brian’s wide-eyed optimism, the two quickly become friends, united by a common sense of silliness in a world where’s that in quite short supply.

Based on the 2017 short of the same name, director Jim Archer takes a mostly hands-off approach, letting Earl and Hayward, who authored the screenplay together, have their absurdist fun. Earl gives such a welcoming lead performance that you can’t help but root for Brian as he appreciates the quiet joys in life.

The film absolutely nails how hard it is to be a weird person in a small community, a warm soul desperate to connect. Brimming with heart, Brian and Charles is a perfect feel-good comedy for this modern landscape where so many are bound to identify with the titular characters. There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, but also scenes that simply leave you with a smile on your face.

While the film largely coasts on the relationship between Brian and Charles, there are a few subplots to help get the quiet narrative through its 90-minute runtime. Brian connects with Hazel (Louise Brealey), a similarly odd character in need of companionship. The film does a great job including Hazel into the mix without losing any of the comedic timing between the main duo.

Where the film falls a bit short is in its third act. Forced to inject some drama into the equation, local bully Eddie (Jamie Michie) and his similarly tedious daughters give Brian a hard time. While Archer sticks the landing eventually, the entire conflict feels a bit forced, scraping a bit of individuality off of the otherwise quirky comedy.

Brian and Charles is a confident film that wears its heart on its sleeve. Brian has a lot of depth as a character, a lonely soul who would probably be happier elsewhere if his soul could bear the thought of leaving home. Backed by the absurdity of Hayward’s wild performance, Archer’s work is welcoming to those desperately looking for something wholesome to brighten up their day.

brian and charles