A mockumentary about a band where the lead singer and lead guitarist are conjoined twins? Not your average summer movie fare. Despite its length and freakish unseemliness, there’s something there. I didn’t exactly enjoy the film, but it hooked me on how it well was put together and made. For fans of film, or just unusual types far off the mainstream, this flick might be just up your alley. It’s a bizarrely fascinating story.
Brothers of the Head
3 Stars
Brothers of the Head is a different film. It’s not something you actually enjoy, though it has many moments, performances, and aspects you can appreciate. It’s hard to watch, but it’s so well made and so distinctly different it’s worth a look for those willing to take a chance on something this…different.
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| Not exactly Spinal Tap |
A pair of conjoined twins (Harry Treadaway, Luke Treadaway) are found by a promoter with a dream of putting the pair in a rock band. After months of training the group is put on stage and finds an audience with their punk rock sound and freakshow look.
The film is presented as a documentary taking place in present time with older actors playing roles of band members and managers. Mixed with these are interviews with the author of their story Brian Aldiss (whose novel is the inspiration for the film), archival footage from the mid-1970’s including rehersals, fights, and tender moments, and scenes from a pathetically awful Hollywood film version of their story.
What’s most interesting is how seriously the film takes it’s subject and how well it disguises itself as a real documentary. It comes off as so real that you find yourself wondering if there’s not some hiddent truth somewhere in these frames. The music of the period, the look of the “archival footage,” and the casting of actors who so resemble their younger/older selves you’ll wonder what kind of film tricks were used.
The best casting is for the role of Laura, the woman who came between the brothers and crashed the world down around them. Tania Emery plays the younger version of Laura and Diane Kent plays Laura during present time. It’s eerie how alike they seem.
The film does play heavily on the freakishness of the conjoined twins at at times is hard to watch. Also there are points were the film seems to devolve into voyeurism. That and the length (the story could have easily played out in a 45-60 minute short film) will leave you squirming.
It’s too long, it’s creepy, it’s uncomfortable, it’s bizarre, and yet… In much the same way the film’s characters exploit the “can’t look away” freakishness of the pair, the film has takes advantage of a story that is so different by surrounding the world with good performances and excellent casting and behind the scenes moves to create something uniquely original. In terms of look and style there’s much to appreciate for fans who enjoy studying films and how they are put togehter. In terms of an enjoyable film expereince, it’s nowhere near as successful. I’m modesly recommending it for the former, though if you’re looking for the later I’d suggest seeing whatever is playing in the adjoining theater.