Where the heist film genre collides with mystery thriller and art horror, the world of Ruben Brandt is amazingly animated with an engaging story full of characters flawed and fabulous. Unlike any other, thats if there is anything like it.
Previously published om VultureHound HERE.
The heist, the thrill of the chase is usually all about the criminal and the police or similar authority, a game of cat and mouse. What Hungarian animation ‘Ruben Brandt, Collector’ does to this tried and true genre trope is add art to the mix, opening up the film to become a visually stunning feast for the eyes and every art lover’s weird twisted dream to life.
Ruben Brandt uses art therapy to help his patients, who also happen to be criminals, overcome their issues interfering with their work. But when International thief for hire arrives looking for his help, she, along with the other patients end up helping Brandt steal famous works of art from around the world to help sure him of his nightmares. Pursuing the gang is private detective Mike Kowalski who unearths for secrets than he expected.
‘Ruben Brandt’ isn’t just an art heist, it delves into the thriller side of the story, even stepping upon horror through Brandt’s truly terrifying nightmares that are all inspired by famous works of art. Each time he suffers through of these visions, he has to find and steal the painting in order to overcome the fear. The fact that he uses art as a therapy to help his patients and fellow criminals, is twisted when it comes to his own treatment. Possessing the original art gives him control. Just like with any work of that art that can be critiqued so can this story about a collector. Underneath the thefts and individual stories, there is a on going mystery about why Brandt is having these nightmares to begin with. At first it seems they are triggered by his father’s death but the truth is slightly more terrifying and an even deeper mystery is revealed but only minutes before the end and only to one character, making the film’s characters cut out of a resolution and something just for the audience to enjoy.
The animation is superb and unlike anything seen before. Combining a unique design of characters as well as a new interpretation of some of the famous paintings referenced. It’s an art history fanatic’s or art lover’s dream, even throughout the warped nightmares. The characters that inhabit this world reflect familiar artists’ work as well, some with two faces or two sets of eyes, only the three lead characters, Brandt, Mimi the femme fatale and Mike the detective on their case adhere to a ‘normal’ look. This is most likely so the audience can connect with them easily and become immersed in their world.
A hybrid of an old-fashioned heist film with mystery and horror thrown in to create an exciting story with a strange but familiar world, at least if you know your artists and galleries around the world, for anyone else it’s a thrill ride through the art world.