'Waltzing with Brando' Review – Billy Zane Channels Brando in This Tropical, Eco-Dream Dramedy
- Romey Norton
- Sep 21
- 3 min read
By Romey Norton - September 21, 2025
What do you get when you mix 1970s Hollywood eccentricity, one of the most famous actors of all time, and a mad plan to build a sustainable utopia on a hurricane-prone island? You get Waltzing with Brando. A wildly entertaining, visually rich, and weirdly touching slice of forgotten history brought to life with swagger and soul.
Billy Zane, slipping into Marlon Brando’s flip-flops and charisma with surprising nuance, leads this true-life dramedy that’s part buddy comedy, part eco-fable, and part existential fever dream. Based on the real memoir of architect Bernard Judge, the film captures a fascinating chapter in Brando’s life that most fans have never heard of.
What is Waltzing with Brando about?
Set between 1969 and 1974, just as Brando was about to reinvent himself with The Godfather, Waltzing with Brando follows the actor as he hires L.A. architect Bernie Judge (played by a surprisingly grounded Jon Heder) to build the world’s first fully eco-friendly retreat on a remote Tahitian island. Naturally, things go sideways. Fast.
There are bureaucratic black holes, cultural misunderstandings, and the constant, looming question: Can a Hollywood icon escape the chaos of fame and actually do something meaningful? It’s also a timely tale, exploring environmentalism before it was cool, fame before it was a 24/7 commodity, and the messiness of ambition when it collides with paradise.
Billy Zane delivers the most unexpected performance of his career. He’s moody, magnetic, and often hilarious. His scenes with Heder are the heart of the film.
Jon Heder, best known for Napoleon Dynamite, makes a notable turn here as Bernie Judge, the grounded center of the chaos. His understated performance gives the audience a lens into Brando’s world without stealing the spotlight. Both have that weird, wonderful, and awkward chemistry that makes you believe what you’re watching.
The supporting cast is just as outstanding, bringing this random but brilliant story to life. You have Tia Carrere (Wayne’s World), Camille Razat (Emily in Paris), Alaina Huffman (The 100), Rob Corddry (Ballers), and Richard Dreyfuss (Jaws).
Director Bill Fishman (Tapeheads, Car 54) has an affinity for the story’s strange rhythm. The film glides between heartfelt reflection and gonzo comedy, all set against a lush, cinematic backdrop. The film is a little slow in sections, but this is because it’s artist-driven and not action-driven. It’s a film that needs viewers to sit, listen, and immerse themselves in every moment.
As the story continues, their project doesn't take off, and the two go their separate ways. Brando did finish his project, which was destroyed by a hurricane, which was predicted if he had moved the location. Brando wanted to make the world aware, and eventually, The Brando resort was created. The proceeds go towards cutting-edge environmental research, so why not book a trip?
Brando and Bernie stayed in touch until Brando died, and the two even worked on other projects. But none quite like this one.
Is Waltzing with Brando worth watching?
Waltzing with Brando is a whimsical, warm-hearted tribute to two very different men trying to build something beautiful in the middle of nowhere. Funny, frustrating, and occasionally profound, it’s a must-watch for fans of offbeat biopics and obviously for fans of Brando.
The film is scheduled for release in the U.S. and Canada on Friday, September 19, 2025. We’re hoping for a worldwide distribution as this film deserves to be seen on the big screen.
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