Film Review: "12 Monkeys," Directed by Terry Gilliam, Screenplay by David and Janet Peoples

The film "12 Monkeys" is science fiction horror disaster engagement. The movie was released in 1995. The plot line was inspired by the French short film "La Jetee" released in 1962. This film is directed by Terry Gilliam, screenplay written by David and Janet Peoples, starring Bruce Willis, Madeleine Stowe, Brad Pitt and Christopher Plummer. The depiction of the world in 2035 is that which is devastated by disease, forcing humans to live underground. Convict James Cole, played by Bruce Willis "volunteers" for time travel to gather relevant information in exchange for release from prison. Upon his arrival in the past, the year of 1990, he is arrested and institutionalized in a psychiatric hospital. In that hospital, he meets Dr. Kathryn Railly, played by Madeleine Stowe, a psychiatrist, and Jeffrey Goines, played by Brad Pitt, the insane son of a world renowned virologist. The film was shot and set mostly in Philadelphia and Baltimore.

When released, the film received critical praise worldwide. This film was nominated for one Academy Award, Best Supporting Actor by Brad Pitt. The outstanding and incredibly believable performance by Brad Pitt is his finest by far. The premise for "12 Monkey" is "5 billion people will die from a deadly virus in 1997. . . . The survivors will abandon the face of the planet. Once again the animals will rule the world."

James Cole is a convicted criminal in a grim post apocalyptic future. One of Cole's most enduring traits is his love for twentieth century music, most notably Fats Domino. Around 1996, the atmosphere of earth was contaminated by a virus. The virus was so deadly it forced the population underground. In order to earn a pardon, Cole must allow scientist to transport him into the past to collect information regarding the virus. The virus was thought to be released by a terrorist organization known as the Twelve Monkeys. The mission is to obtain a vial of the original virus in hopes of making a cure. Cole is disturbed by recurring dreams involving a chase and shooting in an airport.

Originally, Terry Gilliam wanted Nick Nolte to play James Cole, and Jeff Bridges to play Jeffrey Goines. However, Gilliam rethought his casting choice and selected Bruce Willis because Willis evoked Cole's characterization as being "somebody strong and dangerous, but also vulnerable."[1] The choice made by Gilliam to cast Madeleine Stowe as Dr. Kathryn Railly was made because he was impressed by her performance in "Blink."[2] Madeleine has an "incredible ethereal beauty and she's incredibly intelligent," both qualities which are necessary for her part.[3] Initially, Gilliam refused to cast Brad Pitt as Jeffrey Goines, but the casting director convinced him otherwise.[4] In Philadelphia, months before filming, Pitt spent weeks at Temple University's hospital, visiting and studying the psychiatric ward to prepare for his role.[5]

The premise of "12 Monkeys" is the subjective study of memories and their effects on perceptions of reality. Examples of false memories include, Cole's recollection of the airport shooting which is altered each time he has a dream, a "mentally divergent" man at the asylum who has false memories, and Railly telling Cole "I remember you like this."

Cinematic allusions and references to time, time travel and monkeys are scattered throughout the film, including the Woody Woodpecker "Time Tunnel" cartoon playing on the TV in a hotel room, The Marx Brothers movie Monkey Business on TV in the asylum and the subplots of monkeys, drug testing, news stories and animal rights. The film is also a study of modern civilization's declining efforts to communicate with each other due to the interference of technology.[6]

"12 Monkeys" warn of an apocalyptic termination of history. The man versus nature is the theme. The wilds of humans dramatized through historical forces that cannot be eluded. The historical forces include technology, social stratification, and the production of reason. The characters rather than transcending an earth wrought with disaster, they by our transcendental presumption are inextricably wired into the framework of the matter in which they inhabit.

Work Cited:

Twelve Monkeys, dir. Terry Gilliam, MCA/Universal, 1995.

Alaimo, S. "Endangered humans?: wired bodies and the human wilds in Carnosaur, Carnosaur 2, and 12 monkeys"Camera Obscura no. 40/41 (May 1997) p. 226-43.

Kakoudaki, Despina. "Spectacles of History: Race Relations, Melodrama, and the Science Fiction/Disaster Film." Camera Obscura. no. 50 (2002)p. 108-53.

[1] DVD production note.

[2] DVD production note.

[3] DVD production note.

[4] Ian Christie; Terry Gilliam (1999). Gilliam on Gilliam. London: Faber and Faber. pp. 220-225. ISBN0-571-20280-2.

[5] DVD production note.

[6]Terry Gilliam, Charles Roven, DVD audio commentary, 1998, Universal Home Video