Brainstorm

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Brainstorm

PG,

1983,

1h 46m,

Sci-Fi

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Watchlist

57%

21 Reviews

Tomatometer

56%

5,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

57%

Tomatometer

21 Reviews

56%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Researchers Michael Brace (Christopher Walken) and Lillian Reynolds (Louise Fletcher) develop a system that allows the recording and playback of a person's thoughts onto videotape. The project spins dangerously out of control when Brace and his colleagues begin using the technology to explore intense sexual and near-death experiences. When the military moves to hijack the project for their own nefarious purposes, Brace tries to outwit them with help from his estranged wife (Natalie Wood).

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Oct 23, 2004

2/4

The characters take such a secondary importance to the gadget that we never feel much for them.

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Bill Arceneaux

Moviegoing with Bill

Feb 10, 2022

4/5

When combined with such vision and such application of large-format filmmaking, elevation occurs past popcorn thrills to memorable chills. It's some kind of masterpiece, rivaled only by the works of James Cameron (yes) and Terrence Malick (for sure).

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Alan Jones

Starburst

Jun 29, 2020

An absorbing and disturbing look into telepathic engineering with a spectacular pay-off that deeply touches us all, dealing as it does with the subject of life after death.

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Sergio Benítez

Espinof

May 7, 2020

It could have worked much more efficiently if its script did not fail so miserably either to make us feel close to its protagonists or to propose a plot that did not reach its last minutes completely frayed. [Full Review in Spanish]

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Diego Galán

El Pais (Spain)

Feb 10, 2020

The film can't decide whether it's scientific, political, or simply a romance. [Full Review in Spanish]

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

Oct 3, 2018

2/4

...an ambitious yet disastrously unfocused misfire from a thoroughly talented filmmaker.

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Harry G

Jan 28, 2019

One of my all-time favorite movies! Louise Fletcher's portrayal of Lilian's heart attack nearly transports the viewer into their own "brainstorm" heart attack. Moving and magical!

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Albus P

Dec 30, 2018

The film has a great idea to explore but didn't take full advantage of it

Kylo R

Oct 13, 2018

An amazing touchstone of our times. Truly at the leading edge of Science fiction, watch this film then use your Oculus VR! you may think twice.

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Hermione W

Sep 25, 2017

Story about a group of scientists that invent a device capable of recording the actual experience of a person while they are living it. Its an okay movie sort of, but its too dumb. It treats the audience like they are morons. And the final scene with Walken taking the trip to heaven is pretentious to me.

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Han P

Jun 15, 2017

Infamous for Natalie Wood's death during filming, this incoherent sprawling mess is at least interesting as a snapshot of what the early-eighties assumed the future would look like. Strange bicycles, VR, poloneck sweaters and loud plaid jackets, apparently. Trumbull's one decent idea is to render all the VR sequences in wide-screen and up the volume. But he hasn't a clue how to direct actors. Bizarre.

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Finn P

Jan 4, 2017

Better than most people give the film credit for. Natalie Wood's death didn't mandate "extensive" rewrites as the description claimed, but some scenes were shot with her sister as stand-in (probably long shots and over-the-shoulder reverse shots). The real killer of this film was MGM's attempted to cancel the production as "unfinishable" and claim the insurance payout from Lloyds of London. The film was completed with completion funds, and Lloyds became a profit partner. MGM released it with a lackluster promotional effort, and it lost money. Still, some good drama and ethical issues dealt with in the film. Walken and Fletcher are superb.

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Douglas Trumbull

Director

Christopher Walken

Michael Brace

Natalie Wood

Karen Brace

Louise Fletcher

Lillian Reynolds

Cliff Robertson

Alex Terson

Joe Dorsey

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Synopsis

Researchers Michael Brace (Christopher Walken) and Lillian Reynolds (Louise Fletcher) develop a system that allows the recording and playback of a person's thoughts onto videotape. The project spins dangerously out of control when Brace and his colleagues begin using the technology to explore intense sexual and near-death experiences. When the military moves to hijack the project for their own nefarious purposes, Brace tries to outwit them with help from his estranged wife (Natalie Wood).

Director: Douglas Trumbull
Producer: Douglas Trumbull
Screenwriter: Robert Stitzel, Philip Frank Messina
Production Co: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Rating: PG
Genre: Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 22, 2009
Runtime: 1h 46m
Sound Mix: Stereo, Surround

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