Gilliam on Welles on Gilliam

[Terry]

Welles was on the jury at Cannes which awarded Monty Python's Meaning of Life a special jury prize. The film opened with a Gilliam short:

When you were at Cannes with The Meaning of Life, Orson Welles would have been there. Do you know what he thought of Crimson Permanent Assurance?
Gilliam: I didn't know he was there and I don't know if he saw it. I've no idea what he might have thought about it. On the other hand Henry Jaglom was there. He's made lot of witty films.
During the last few years of Welles's life, he was very close to him. Henry came out of Meaning of Life and said it was a masterpiece. So maybe Welles thought it was too, that's the best I can do… a few degrees of separation from Orson Welles.

[Roger Ryan]

I believe in the "Python On Python" book, one of the troupe members (Terry Jones?) claimed to be worried that Welles would take offense to the portrayal of the obese Mr. Creosote character in that amazing "Autumn Years" scene in the restaurant. I don't think any specific comment was made by Welles, but as stated above, he along with the other jury members gave the film the special jury prize.

Shortly before Welles' death, the subject of Terry Gilliam's fight to prevent Universal from recutting his film "Brazil" reportedly came up in conversation. Welles supposedly said that Gilliam didn't stand a chance with the Hollywood heirarchy. Sadly, Welles passed before hearing how Gilliam triumphantly coerced Universal into releasing his version by holding clandestine screenings for L.A. critics and winning their best picture award for the year.

And, of course, Gilliam has his own unfinished "Don Quixote" movie ("The Man Who Killed Don Quixote"), the fate of which is detailed in the documentary "Lost In LaMancha". Gilliam has stated that he still hopes to complete the film one day.

[Terry]

Gilliam has also said that while it's the first half of Welles' career that interests him, he finds himself professionally copying the second half of Welles' career (ie no studio offers and hustling independent producers) and that he's trying to avoid it.

I've also heard Eric Idle express chagrin about Welles seeing Mr Creosote. The other Pythons knew about Welles being on the jury; I wonder how Gilliam missed it.

[Terry]

The Man Who Killed Don Quixote is faring less well with critics (61% Fresh on RT) and is having distribution and legal problems. Gilliam says he's used to mixed reviews: https://variety.com/2018/film/festivals ... 24219/amp/

[MartynH]

Gilliam's new film premiered at Cannes and still hasn't been on general release in the UK. How sad.

[Terry]

Man Who Killed Don Quixote finally has US distribution: https://twitter.com/quixotemovie/status ... 7489357824

Over on RT, it has a 64% Fresh, with an Audience Score of 70%: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_ma ... on_quixote

[Terry]

Well, that's the best thing Gilliam has done in 20 years. As someone who enjoys his messy and fragmented films, I found this one focused, balanced, and presenting a complete tapestry (including a lot of autobiographical touches,) with TG solidly in control the entire time. Who knew Adam Driver is a fabulous actor? He's wasted in those terrible Disney films. Great to see the depths and range of Jonathan Pryce again as well.

[Roger Ryan]

...Who knew Adam Driver is a fabulous actor?...

I was struck by his unconventionality and great comic timing after seeing him in the pilot episode of HBO's Girls back in 2012 (followed by the completely different approach he took with his small role in Lincoln). I was very happy when I heard he was cast in Quixote as I thought he'd be an excellent addition to a Gilliam film.

Glad to hear you enjoyed it, Terry; I'm really looking forward to seeing it. I only had to wait about twenty years for this one (as opposed to the forty years I waited for Wind)!