Brothers Of The Head

Perhaps the most original film of the year is Brothers of the Head. This bold mockumentary chronicles Siamese twins Tom and Barry Howe (real-life twins Harry and Luke Treadaway), who briefly shoot to stardom as hard rock act the Bang Bang in mid-’70s Britain. The Howes symbolise almost every duo in rock story, from the Kinks’ combustible Ray and Dave Davies to the battling Gallagher brothers of Oasis. Singer Barry is the rebellious Lennon character, while writer/guitarist Tom adopts the mellower McCartney role. Barry is angry at the world and fights the freak show aura of their band. Inspired by the burgeoning punk movement, Barry explodes on stage, spewing angry, alienated lyrics to growing audiences. Tom prefers to channel his sorrow into his songwriting and omnipresent guitar. The film veers between doc and fiction without losing its audience, and even invites director Ken Russell to present a "film within a film.” There are odes to legendary rock docs Cocksucker Blues and Gimme Shelter but Brothers of the Head remains a unique and imaginative movie. It is also dark, following the Howes down a doomed path of drugs, money, fame and sex. Screenwriter Tony Grisoni does an expert job translating to cinema the novel by sci-fi writer Brian Aldiss, while directors Fulton and Pepe artfully balance mockumentary and fiction. The film is never self-conscious or clever, the performances are great all around and the songs rock. However, the DVD lacks a much-needed commentary track from its key creators. The only extra — deleted scenes — are interesting but not mind-blowing. Perhaps this strategy will preserve the film’s disquieting mystique. (Alliance Atlantis)