Brad Pitt and Bruce Willis in 12 Monkeys.
I've always been more forgiving towards Terry Gilliam's films than I probably should be, because of my love for Monty Python. I'll see pretty much any movie he makes, even though time and time again I've been disappointed by his work. He always makes visually interesting films filled with grandiose ideas and themes that somehow never quite fully translate from his thoughts to the screen. Occasionally though, he has managed to convey his vision completely in a finished project, such as with this movie. While I'm sure that Brazil will always be considered his masterpiece, after rewatching 12 Monkeys for the first time since it was released, I'm going to argue that while Brazil might be his signature film, this is actually the greatest all around movie that he has directed so far.
Perhaps the secret to this movie's success is that Gilliam didn't write it and writing doesn't seem to be his strong suit. Instead it was written by David Peoples, who also wrote Bladerunner, Ladyhawke and Unforgiven. Peoples delivers another dark look at the future with an interesting and satisfying time travel story that is kept relatable by its central characters.
Another marked departure from a typical Gilliam film is the strong performances from its leads. Not that there haven't been other great performances in Gilliam's films. Mercedes Reuhl won the Oscar for her part in The Fisher King, after all, but too often in his work, the acting comes second to the visuals. As has been documented, especially in regards to his early directorial work, with Monty Python and shortly afterwards, he too often treated the actors as if they were the little bits of paper he pushed around by hand for his early animation.
Bruce Willis stars as James Cole, a prisoner in the future. In 1997, the world's population was decimated by a virus that spread quickly across the world. What's left of humanity is living underground in a grim society. Cole is "volunteered" to take part in a time travel experiment where he will be sent into the past to investigate a mysterious group known as the Army of the 12 Monkeys whom are believed to be the eco-terrorists who started the plague. His mission is to bring back a pure sample of the virus so that a cure and a vaccine can be found that would allow mankind to return to the surface.
The plan, like so many movie plot plans, quickly goes wrong when Cole is sent to 1990, instead of 1996 as planned, where he is locked up in an insane asylum. It is here that meets Dr. Kathryn Railly (played by Madeline Stowe, who has never looked lovelier) and a twitchy and quite insane fellow inmate named Jeffrey Goines (Pitt).
Cole is eventually pulled back to the future where he convinces the scientists to let him try again. After a brief detour to World War I, they finally manage to send him to the correct time. Part of the reason for his willingness to return is because of his desire to be reunited with Dr Railly, whom he has fallen for and for whom he senses that he has a connection with somehow.
In the proper place and time, Cole is reunited with Kathryn and soon discovers that the Army of the 12 Monkeys does exist and it is lead by his old "friend" Jeffrey. But are their aims to destroy the world? And can Cole learn the truth in time to do anything about it? Is it even possible for him to do anything about it, or has it already happened?
Bruce Willis does a great job as James Cole. He's never been known for his range, but he delivers a solid performance here. You never really learn that much about the details of Cole's Past, but because of Willis, you feel that you know him.
It is Pitt though who is the revelation. He's become such a celebrity these days that I'd forgotten he was once an actor. He buries himself in this part, using minor prosthetics to detract from his good looks and employing hand gestures, manic energy and vocal tics to play the crazy Jeffrey. He won the Golden Globe for Supporting Actor and was deservedly nominated for the Oscar.
On top of a strong script and great performances, Gilliam adds his visual style, but not as the star of the film, as they too often are. His vision of the future is typically Gilliamesque and his view of the present is surreal and interesting. I love his choice of filming locations. He maintains a restrained but steady hand throughout the movie. You're never in doubt that this is his film, but he uses his talents to support the story and not take it over.
As is evident from the beginning, this is a dark film and an unhappy ending seems inevitable for Cole and Kathryn. You hope that somehow they will find a way out of the loop they are in, but it doesn't truly ever seem possible. When the ending does come though, at least it feels satisfying and true to all that came before it, even if it does leave some room for debate.
If this movie proves anything, it's that Gilliam should make more movies that he didn't write. He's got the visual talent and a great eye for setting up a scene. He even proved with this movie and with The Fisher King, that he can get great performances from his actors. He just needs someone else to write the words. With the right script, as here, he can truly create a great movie.
