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Brainstorm

Play trailer Poster for Brainstorm PG 1983 1h 46m Sci-Fi Play Trailer Watchlist
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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).
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Brainstorm

Critics Reviews

View All (21) Critics Reviews
Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times The characters take such a secondary importance to the gadget that we never feel much for them. Rated: 2/4 Oct 23, 2004 Full Review Nell Minow Movie Mom Rated: 3/5 Jun 19, 2003 Full Review Bill Arceneaux Moviegoing with Bill 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). Rated: 4/5 Feb 10, 2022 Full Review Alan Jones Starburst 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. Jun 29, 2020 Full Review Sergio Benítez Espinof 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] May 7, 2020 Full Review Diego Galán El Pais (Spain) The film can't decide whether it's scientific, political, or simply a romance. [Full Review in Spanish] Feb 10, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (220) audience reviews
Kris P I see that many are not giving this film good ratings. While i usually agree with both the critics and audience reviews in here, I could not disagree more on this one. I first saw this on HBO when i was 13 or 14. It left an indelible impression on me. I finally just rewatched it - thinking it might not hold up to the expectations of a 13 year old. I was wrong. I found the storyline Truly compelling, the acting top par, and the execution and special effects quite convincing. The idea of recording our thoughts and feelings and having others experience them - and vice versa - could truly change the world. Particularly at a time when we have never been more divisive. The critics got this one wrong. Watch the movie with an open mind. You wont regret it. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/10/24 Full Review Steve D Sad farewell to a great, and an incoherent mess. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/28/24 Full Review Jarrod R This one was especially impactful when I was in my early teens. Rented this on VHS, and while I was a bit young for many of the overall themes, the way they presented the technology was fascinating and seemed fairly advanced for the early 80s. Through the lens of my childhood, I found this one to be entertaining, and did make an impression. Was also taken by the strength of the cast, then and now. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 12/12/23 Full Review Nim T The movie that was Natalie Wood's last film. Her untimely death and her famous role in West Side Story made me eventually wanted to watch this film. I like the science fiction idea that they tried to provide with machinery and various intriguing special effects. Douglas Trumbull did the best he could to provide a final end to Natalie Wood's work. The cast usage was exceptional, given that there were Oscar winners and other not as known supporting cast. Louise Fletcher's role brought a lot of light to the movie, even though the role is not one that is easy to portray. The tension buildup was there, but the term Brainstorm seemed too broad of a title based on the script. For 1983, I consider the film to be modern with a fresh concept, but story could have more elements of science to enhance the movie. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 07/18/23 Full Review Audience Member A fine late exemplar of the paranoid cinema genre that flourished in the 70's, its troubled production and lackluster performance at the box office seem to have doomed Brainstorm to forever being a trivial pursuit curio (what movie was Natalie Wood working on when she died?). This is unfortunate, because a good script, some fantastic performances, and ahead-of-its-time consideration of technological advances and concerns that are now growing more and more relevant to our lives make for a compelling, if occasionally pokey, cinematic experience; one that cries out for rediscovery. Brainstorm is a cult movie only waiting for its cult to show up and claim it. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Audience Member 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! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/14/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Brainstorm

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Movie Info

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
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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