Brian and Charles

Hayward’s stunted, robotic tone makes the jokes hit harder, while well-placed sight-gags catch you off guard with a giggle.

Offbeat comedies often have difficulty with tone, but Brian and Charles manages to make both the moments of comedy and menace work. Rather than being a portent of mankind’s doom, this robot provides a hilarious lesson in how to be human.

Director Jim Archer’s mockumentary format dovetails neatly with Brian’s DIY aspirations and the film’s handmade, heartfelt aesthetic.

Made with genuine affection and innately British whimsy, this is really just an odd-couple comedy about two lonely blokes — one of whom has a “washing machine for a tummy”.

Quirky, silly, utterly ridiculous but possessing real heart, Brian and Charles is proof that sometimes junk really can be turned into pure gold.