Imagine the year is 1995, and Brad Pitt, fresh from filming 'Seven', is about to feature in a sci-fi movie directed by ex-Monty Python star Terry Gilliam. Cinema enthusiasts of the '90s were eagerly awaiting this release, and even now, decades later, the film still garners thrilling admiration from its audience.
'Twelve Monkeys', often overshadowed amidst Brad Pitt's extensive filmography, unfolds in a dystopian future and is an adaptation of the 1962 short 'La Jetée'. Alongside Bruce Willis, the film earned critical praise and was a box office success, raking in $168.8 million globally, with many still regarding it as one of Pitt’s most exceptional performances.
One Rotten Tomatoes critic wrote: "A strange, disturbing, and effective thriller that rocks phenomenal performances from Willis and Pitt and amazingly creative directing from Terry Gilliam.
"Though the plot could be pretty hard to follow at times, and the Vertigo scene was far too on the nose, this film properly thrilled me and kept me guessing for the entire run time."
Another film buff added: "This is one of those films where you catch something new every single time you watch it, making it one mind-bending, crazy sci-fi experience no matter how many times you've seen it. The performances are amazing, especially by a young Brad Pitt and the phenomenal Bruce Willis in his prime.", reports the Express.
The narrative centres on a time traveller, James Cole, portrayed by Bruce Willis, who finds himself incarcerated in the 2030s—a period that once seemed distant but is now just around the corner—and is enlisted for a mission to journey back to the 1990s. His task upon arrival is to gather intelligence about an emerging disease poised to decimate a vast swath of the global population, a scenario eerily reminiscent of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Due to an error, instead of reaching 1996, Cole lands six years earlier and ends up confined in a psychiatric hospital. It's here he encounters Dr Kathryn Railly, played by Madeline Stowe, who soon suspects there's more to him than meets the eye.
Cole also crosses paths with Jeffrey Goines, a role taken on by Brad Pitt, who is not only the unhinged offspring of a renowned scientist but also a virology specialist. This chance meeting could provide Cole with the crucial piece of the puzzle he's been searching for.
In line with director Terry Gilliam's signature style, as seen in works like 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas' and 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail', 'Twelve Monkeys' is laden with mind-bending visuals and is certainly not for the squeamish. Critics have lauded the film, with one glowing review saying: "Incredible acting by Willis and Pitt. The cinematography is extremely distinct and memorable for such a surreal story and gives everything a unique identity.
"The editing is masterful as well. This is a film everyone should see once. It would be a crime to go into detail any further than that. All-time classic".
Another added: "I can imagine this being awesome back in the '90s. It's still pretty good, especially if you enjoy time travel and pondering ethical questions such as the treatment of psychologically disturbed people, homelessness, and animal rights."
However, not all feedback was positive, with one viewer expressing disappointment: "Really disappointed with this movie, given the high rating I found here. The acting is over the top, and the plot confusing - very art house. I found the relationship between Cole and Railly totally implausible which stopped me from really caring about the characters."
Brad Pitt, initially known for his heartthrob roles in films like Thelma and Louise, solidified his reputation as a serious actor with Twelve Monkeys. This film set the stage for his future in critically acclaimed movies such as Fight Club, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and 12 Years a Slave.
Reflect on Pitt's remarkable journey in Hollywood by watching him portray a psychiatric patient in Twelve Monkeys, now available for rent on Apple TV.
