Brewster McCloud Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A nerdy bird-obsessed dude living in a stadium builds wings, gets help from a mysterious lady, and people start dying with bird poop on them – it’s basically a feathered ‘whodunnit’ gone wild.

🍿 Brewster McCloud: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Brewster’s Dream Takes Flight

Brewster McCloud, a peculiar young man played by Bud Cort, resides in a fallout shelter beneath Houston’s Astrodome. He harbors a singular dream: to construct a pair of wings and achieve unaided flight. He dedicates himself to this goal, meticulously crafting his wings while avoiding outside interference.

Guardian Angel and Mysterious Murders

Brewster is aided by Louise (Sally Kellerman), a mysterious woman who acts as his guardian angel, seemingly protecting him and facilitating his ambition. Simultaneously, a series of bizarre murders plague Houston. The victims are found strangled and covered in bird droppings, baffling the local police.

Investigation and Intrigue

A San Francisco detective, Frank Shaft (Michael Murphy), is brought in to investigate the murders. His unique approach, focusing on the bird droppings, clashes with the traditional methods of the Houston PD. Meanwhile, Brewster’s world expands as he meets Suzanne (Shelley Duvall), a tour guide at the Astrodome, leading to complications in his pursuit of flight.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Brewster (Bud Cort): An eccentric young man living in the Houston Astrodome, determined to build wings and fly.
• Louise (Sally Kellerman): Brewster’s mysterious guardian angel, who protects him while enforcing strange rules.
• Suzanne (Shelley Duvall): A tour guide at the Astrodome who becomes Brewster’s love interest and complicates his plans.
• Shaft (Michael Murphy): A ‘super cop’ from San Francisco, investigating a series of bird-related murders in Houston.
• The Lecturer (Rene Auberjonois): A bird expert who narrates the film, drawing parallels between birds and human behavior.
• Abraham Wright (Stacy Keach): Brewster’s racist, miserly former employer who becomes one of the murder victims.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• The Lecturer: “I forgot the opening line.” – This meta-theatrical statement breaks the fourth wall at the film’s very beginning, setting the tone for its unconventional narrative style.
• Louise: “Fly, Brewster, fly!” – Said when Brewster begins testing his wings.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $5.6M
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Brewster McCloud Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I just finished watching ‘Brewster McCloud’ and wow, I’m still processing. Bud Cort is amazing as the bird-boy, and the whole vibe is just so strange and 70s. That car chase scene was so over the top. The scene with Shelly Duvall was kind of uncomfortable and funny. Overall, it’s a film that has lots of strange layers of humor and societal mockery.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Robert Altman’s films”
  • “Viewers who appreciate dark comedy and satire”
  • “Those interested in quirky and surreal stories”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Brief nudity”
  • “Suggestive themes”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Altman’s ‘Brewster McCloud’ is a quirky, often bizarre, exploration of freedom and societal constraints. While the narrative meanders, the film’s eccentric characters and Altman’s signature style create a unique cinematic experience.
• The New York Times: “A strange and uneven film, ‘Brewster McCloud’ showcases Altman’s experimental style but lacks the focus of his best work. The film’s humor and social commentary feel muddled at times.
• Chicago Sun-Times: “Although odd and at times disjointed, ‘Brewster McCloud’ is a fascinating look at the American Dream, wrapped in Altman’s trademark satire. Bud Cort’s performance is particularly memorable.

Audience Reactions

The film’s unconventional humor and unique characters resonated with viewers.: Most people agreed that ‘Brewster McCloud’ is a bizarre but memorable cinematic experience.

Bud Cort’s performance and Robert Altman’s direction received high praise.: Viewers felt that Cort brought a unique charm to the film, while Altman’s direction made the film a good experience.

Overall Consensus: ‘Brewster McCloud’ is a polarizing film that elicits strong reactions, praised for its originality but criticized for its lack of coherence and humor.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Robert Altman reportedly disliked the original script so much that he largely disregarded it, encouraging improvisation and on-set collaboration with the actors.”
• “The Houston Astrodome plays a significant role, not just as a location, but almost as a character in itself, reflecting Altman’s preference for using real locations and environments.”
• “Shelley Duvall’s role in Brewster McCloud marked her film debut. Altman discovered her at a party in Houston during pre-production.”

🖥️ How to Watch Brewster McCloud?

Currently, ‘Brewster McCloud’ (1970) may be available through streaming services or for rent/purchase on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, or Google Play Movies. Availability can change, so check your preferred platform for the latest options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Brewster McCloud, you might like these similar films:

• Harold and Maude (1971): Shares Bud Cort as a lead, with a similar quirky and dark humor.
• Nashville (1975): Another Robert Altman film with an ensemble cast and interwoven storylines, exploring American culture and society.
• Being John Malkovich (1999): Shares a similar level of surreal humor and offbeat storytelling that challenges conventional narrative structures.

🛒 Brewster McCloud Related Products

• Robert Altman: A Cinema of Risk: Insightful documentary exploring Altman’s unique filmmaking style and challenging career, featuring interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.
• Bud Cort Autographed Photo: Genuine autographed photo of Bud Cort as Brewster McCloud, professionally printed on high-quality photo paper.
• ‘Wizard of Oz’ Ruby Slippers Replica: High-quality replica of the iconic ruby slippers from ‘The Wizard of Oz’, paying homage to the film references within ‘Brewster McCloud’.
• Brewster McCloud Movie Poster: A high-quality reproduction of the original movie poster for ‘Brewster McCloud’, capturing the film’s unique and eccentric vibe.

🎧 Soundtrack

Brewster McCloud features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Lift Every Voice and Sing (Black National Hymn)” – performed by Merry Clayton
• “The Star-Spangled Banner” – performed by Margaret Hamilton

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Shelley Duvall talks about being discovered by Dir. Robert Altman

Ever wonder how Shelley Duvall got her start? She spills the beans on being discovered by Robert Altman himself, right at her own party! It’s a cute story and really shows how fate can work in mysterious ways.

Texas Film Awards: Shelley Duvall Clip Reel

Want a quick glimpse into Shelley Duvall’s amazing career, especially her early work with Robert Altman? This short tribute reel is packed with highlights and reminds you why she’s such a legend. I personally love seeing how far she’s come!

✨ Rate