From director Terry Gilliam (12 Monkeys and Monty Python and the Holy Grail), Grimm is a strange mix of grotesque fantasy and humorous brotherly bickering. If not for the humor of the two brothers, the audience would be in danger of being truly creeped out by the dark world of the movie. Jacob (Heath Ledger) and Wilhelm (Matt Damon) constantly throw insults at each other, even when mythic beasts swing axes at their heads or they are near to being tortured. When a huntress turned damsel-in-distress enters the scene, another captivating character brings light to an otherwise gloomy world.
The world of Grimm is dark and dirty through the camera’s eyes, yet the forest itself is beautiful in its darkness and more than just a set. It is the hero of the story. From it, legends, ghost stories and fairytales are born. Throughout the movie the forest is a catalyst for change in every character. The forest should really win an Oscar.
Overall, Grimm is a worthwhile forest to explore, but not for the faint of heart. Those hoping to see Damon and Ledger at their cleanest will be disappointed, but those willing to see them in one of their most intriguing roles will be pleased. There is a small bit of tension between pagan custom and Christianity that is brought to light but doesn’t become a part of the story. What’s nice to know is that the film isn’t a remake or a sequel. That alone is a major boost for a movie’s enjoyment factor in this age of movie-making. If you’ve never read the brothers' tales, you may enjoy discovering that Cinderella’s sisters cut off their toes to try to fit the slipper on. If that’s not for you, then I suggest sticking with the Mouse.
Bonus Section:
Grimm’s clever plot weaves bits and pieces of fairytales together to create a giant quilt of a story. So much that you can watch the movie as a scavenger hunt of story references. There’s even a clever nod to Tolkien and his ring. So here's a checklist of references to test your Grimm knowledge. My movie-going companions and I spent our time over dinner recalling all of the nods to fairytales we could remember. It’s amazing how many fit into the story:
1. Jack and the Bean Stalk
2. Snow White
3. Cinderella
4. Sleeping Beauty
5. Rapunzel
6. Little Red Riding Hood
7. Hansel and Gretel
8. Gingerbread Man
9. Frog Prince
10. 12 Dancing Princesses
11. Goose Girl
12. Princess Furball
13. Dracula
14. Lord of the Rings
15. Wizard of Oz
16. Perseus
