thrall7
I saw this movie while I was in college and loved it then, and having seen it again recently can say that it has held up well. It is funny; weird; has a terrific cast; and is one of my favorite Robert Altman films. Bud Cort is rightly known for his work in "Harold and Maude" but I actually think he's better in this. His character, to me, was a lot tougher to "sell" than his character of Harold in "Harold and Maude." The entire cast is great, but another favorite in this film is Stacy Keach. His scene with Brewster as his limo driver, and the sudden soiling of the car, is so funny. I've never understood why this film isn't more highly regarded among Altman's work, but recommend it to anyone.
CineTigers
Surreal does not capture the characters, setting, and plot of Brewster McCloud. Will you please pass me whatever they were smoking when they wrote and revised this script. It was either the work of genius or insanity.I have waited over 5 years to see it, as I work through the AFI catalog. Altman's early film is hard to find here; not in my library, netflix, rarely shown. It was finally on TCM as a visiting programmers choice, SNL comedian Bill Hader.A great time capsule of 1970 Houston, with period cars and so many familiar faces. But a film of bizarre surrealism that exceeds anything I've personally seen from France or Italy.
ClassicFilmEra
Being a passionate Bud Cort fan, I recommend this film not only for those who love him, but also for those who enjoy quirky, psychedelic films. "Brewster McCloud" was Bud's sixth, but first starring role. He was discovered by Robert Altman when he was doing a stand-up comedy show alongside Judy Engles, and others, at Upstairs At The Downstairs. He could not have chosen a better actor to play the bizarre, complicated, anomaly-of-a-man, Brewster.The symbolism in this is always overlooked. I love the concept that Brewster wants to fly, so that he can free himself of his fallen-angel protector (Sally Kellerman), the murders, and everyone else that gets in his way. It seems that Brewster was also determined to lose his virginity to thwart Kellerman, and more importantly, to liberate the love that he had inside of him. The most amazing scene, however, is the simultaneously happy/sad ending. Brewster's death is a celebration, as though when he died, he set everyone else free. Even the WAY in which Brewster died was symbolic. At first the cops tried to shoot him (society trying to impede him), but he ran out of breathe- as if freeing himself was not a possibility.I believe the message of this movie was to show that humans are never really "free," in literal terms. We can only free ourselves mentally and emotionally of whatever haunts us, but it seems that Brewster wanted to attain the impossible, and liberate himself physically, overthrowing society and natural obstacles. Also enjoyable are the comparisons between birds and humans, shown throughout the film, which are hilarious, and symbolic in that birds are physically free.
tavm
Having read many tributes to the late Robert Altman, I was fascinated by one that mentioned Brewster McCloud was on YouTube. So I clicked the movie there and marveled at seeing Rene Auberjonois (whom I loved in the TV series "Benson") talking about birds and humans and then Margeret Hamilton singing the National Anthem as the credits roll but stopping to correct the key before she sings again with the credits starting again! Bud Cort is mesmerizing in the title role and Sally Kellerman is luminous as his guardian. Newcomer Shelley Duvall is appealing as Cort's sometime girlfriend but I'm really fascinated by Jennifer Salt's performance as a health store worker who delivers goods to Cort's place in the Astrodome and gets off just thinking of him while he does pull-ups in his underwear! Perhaps the funniest and sexiest performance in the movie. She and Auberjonois are the best parts in the film. So by all means, if you love Altman, watch Brewster McCloud and be stunned by the tragicomic ending!
AD
