This film screened 25th February 2010.

After the debacle of Baron Munchausen, Terry Gilliam took on his first project as director-for-hire, and made a triumph of this modern-day fairy-tale, blending madness, murder, and quixotic romanticism. Jeff Bridges grounds the proceedings with his spot-on turn as a former radio talk-show host who’s hit the skids since one of his listeners was responsible for a shooting. On the verge of suicide, he’s befriended by Robin Williams, a seemingly deranged tramp convinced the answer to all their problems is retrieving the Holy Grail from its secret hiding place in New York City. Thus begins an unlikely tale of redemption, aided and abetted by an Oscar-winning Mercedes Ruehl as Bridges’ brazen yet understanding partner. Largely eschewing its director’s characteristic fantastical trimmings, here’s a journey of discovery unveiling the myth and magic lurking just behind the everyday. One of a kind, and quite possibly Gilliam’s career best.