Brand: A Second Coming

Ondi Timoner‘s documentary about British stand-up comic turned self-styled social revolutionary, Russell Brand, is probably more for fans than otherwise but given that you find him at least passably appealing it has its moments.  

The most notable of these is the kind of accidental that documentary makers live for  - a scene in which Brand and his father, Ron, are travelling in a hire car to some gig or other.  Brand Snr remarks to his son that he is astonished that he, Russell, believes in God.  Brand in his usual manner begins to expiate on the subject when his father, who clearly has no genuine interest in his son’s values or beliefs, shortly cuts him off to ask the driver about directions. The effect on Brand is visibly demoralizing and his characteristically cocky style simply collapses before our eyes, leaving him deflated and speechless, the only time in the entire length of the film  when he is.  Recalling the relationship between Amy Winehouse and her Dad, depicted in Amy, it is a marvellously revealing window on the neurosis underpinning Brand’s rebelliousness.  Another relevant observation comes from British TV interviewer Jeremy Paxman who, quoting from Monty Python’s Life of Brian,says of Brand : “He’s not the Messiah; he’s a very naughty boy.”  

Naughty boys however are fun in their way and there’s no doubt that, as we see on the extensive archival footage, Brand knows how to have fun and that people love him for doing so. His dark good looks, his rock-star narcissism, his rapid-fire wit and his lack of inhibitions are a potent combination. One of the most fascinating things in the documentary is watching how Brand takes over every interview with his whirlwind verbal deconstructions like a Robin Williams or Ricky Gervais with a mission to change the world. It's thrilling but, one feels, ultimately self-destructive, like sticking your head in a lion's mouth and yelling "bite me".

Charismatic or simply overpowering, watching Brand as he travels the world with his show “Messiah Complex” and promotes his book “Revolution”, one can't help but wonder how much further the now 38 year old comedian can take his schtick, before his legion of fans move on to mortgages and babies and the so-called real world.  Behind his broad smile Brand appears to be deadly serious in his agenda. Let’s hope the death in question won’t be his.

Available from: Village Roadshow

 

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