Film Review: 12 Monkeys (1995)

Film Review: 12 Monkeys (1995) | Ecency

(source:tmdb.org)

(NOTE: Capsule version of the review is available here.)

COVID-19 created devastation not only in terms of lives lost, economies ruined and centuries old civil liberties being snatched away, but also in terms of cultural legacy being affected. Certain films also became collateral damage of the pandemic due to their subject matter hitting too close to home and even the classics or popular films of the past became harder to watch in light of recent events. One such example can be found in 12 Monkeys, 1995 science fiction film directed by Terry Gilliam.

The film had its origin in another civilisation-ending calamity which, unlike COVOD-19, never came to pass but nevertheless troubled people with its mere possibility. In 1962 concerns about nuclear war found its expressions in La Jeteé, 1962 French short black-and-white film that would become famous for its unusual avant-garde style and non-linear narration. That film served as a basis for 12 Monkeys, which has its plot start in 2035 Philadelphia. In 1996 mysterious deadly virus has wiped out almost all people on Earth, forcing few survivors to seek shelter underground and try to rebuild civilisation. Protagonist, played by Bruce Willis, is James Cole, prisoner who, in exchange for freedom, volunteers for dangerous mission that involves time travel. His task is to arrive to 1996 Philadelphia, shortly before the start of pandemic, and investigate Army of Twelve Monkeys, mysterious organisation rumoured to be responsible for creation and spreading of deadly virus. Something goes wrong and Cole ends in 1990 instead, when his inability to adapt to strange world brings him to psychiatrist Dr. Kathryn Reilly (played by Madeleine Stowe). She doesn’t believe his claims about being from the future and instead sends him to psychiatric hospital, where he meets Jeffrey Goines (played by Brad Pitt), insane young man with strange ideas about animal liberation. Cole is brought back in 2035 and sent back in 1996 when he finds Goines as leader of radical animal liberation group. This time, however, Dr. Reilly believes him and decides to help him in his quest.

Twelve Monkeys is often considered to be the least typical film in the filmography of Terry Gilliam, one of the more interesting directors in the last decades of 20th Century and best known for insisting on deeply personal style, often at the expense of conventional storytelling. In case of this film Gilliam, who would later describe his involvement as merely being a “hired gun”, was unusually restrained for his standards and didn’t meddle much in the script written by David Peoples (best known for his work on Blade Runner) and his wife Janet. Screenwriting duo has taken unusually serious approach to the issue of time travel and delivered well-rounded story that ends in rather dark, but very logical way, nevertheless allowing some excitement and plot twist for the audience. Motive of the upcoming end of the world, very popular in 1990s atmosphere of fin de siècle and Y2K speculations is well explored in the film, while Gilliam also uses opportunity to pay homage to Hollywood classics, most notably Hitchcock’s Vertigo with which it shares its fatalistic atmosphere.

12 Monkeys was well-received by critics but it also had very good results at the box office, becoming the most successful of all films in Gilliam’s career. A lot credit for the latter should go to the main cast, made of some of the greatest stars at the time. Bruce Willis was at the time trying very hard to discard his image of action star and again prove himself as an actor able to handle difficult, thankess and atypical role. His portrayal of Cole lacks the charm he had displayed in his earlier works; character is utterly serious, yet vulnerable and driven insane both by traumatic visions from the past, inability to adapt to the strange world and, most importantly, lingering doubts whether he is time traveller or 20th Century lunatic who simply created pandemic and time travel in his head (a dilemma that Gilliam fuels by dropping contradictory hints throughout the film). Madeleine Stowe, one of the most beautiful actresses of her generation, is more than adequate as Willis’ partner. But its is Brad Pitt, who was confirming his status as top Hollywood star, who delivered the most memorable performance. He plays character who is completely insane and whose true motives and possible responsibility for the unimaginable catastrophe remain matter of debate almost until the very end. Pitt has left a strong impression that led to nomination for Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

Success of 12 Monkeys was confirmed over time by creating reputation of one of the best science fiction films of 1990s. It was further confirmed by remake in the form of television series that ran from 2015 till 2018.

RATING: 9/10 (+++++)