Review of Brewster McGee

Introduction

Hmm. Small films made on small budgets with a miniscule cast and crew. Sometimes these turn out to be undiscovered little gems, hidden away from the world of mainstream cinema. Other times they turn out to be utter drivel which make you cry out and sell your soul for a big bad blockbuster.

So which is this? The story is outlined up above.

Video

A full frame NTSC transfer of a black and white 16mm film. And it looks like you would expect a low budget film like this to look. Grainy, lots of dirt and dust, a distinct lack of detail and rather on the soft side.

Visually this film doesn`t excite, shot mainly on location in a fast food restaurant and its car park.

Audio

Are you expecting much? No, and you`re right not to, just a PCM audio track (remember them?) Probably to be expected given the hand made nature of the film. Most of the dialogue is audible though, with only a few muddy patches. A shame perhaps that more of the dialogue isn`t drowned out, as it is mostly of the playground variety.

Features

Ok, here`s where a small, home made DVD triumphs over your average MGM back catalogue title. Extras!

There`s a commentary track with Ross Munro and Brent Neale, and they talk all about the film, how and why it was made, and some of the problems of making a film in a car park.

A couple of trailers are also available.

Conclusion

Drivel.

It`s built up quite a cult following apparently, but I can`t for the life of me see why. A few blokes talking in a car, in a car park, outside a fast food restaurant. Some playground banter and plenty of swearing. What`s so good about that?

The presentation is amateur, but that`s all that can be expected from a home-made project, so I don`t want to be too harsh about that. At least having a commentary track elevates it above many other discs out there.

And at least it`s easy to avoid.........