A New Brain

A New Brain

Year: 2016

Runtime: 97 mins

Language: English

Director: William Finn

Music

Neurotic and frustrated composer Gordon Schwinn faces a terminal illness and finds solace in the healing power of art. This work is William Finn’s autobiographical exploration of his own struggle against a serious illness, offering a poignant and personal look at confronting mortality and finding strength through creativity.

Bittersweet
Happy ending
Moderately emotional
Medium intensity
Steady pacing
Moderate complexity

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – A New Brain (2016)

Explore the full timeline and setting of A New Brain (2016). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Hospital, Neighborhood restaurant, Gordon's apartment, City street outside hospital

The story centers on a hospital setting, from the MRI to the craniotomy, marking a turning point in Gordon's life. A nearby neighborhood restaurant serves as a social hub where Gordon and Rhoda share concerns about his health. Gordon's apartment becomes a space for family dynamics and intimate moments with Mimi, while the city street outside frames the broader world that continues beyond illness.

🏥 Hospital 🍽️ Restaurant 🏠 Home 🗺️ City street

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 06:25

Main Characters – A New Brain (2016)

Meet the key characters of A New Brain (2016), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Gordon Schwinn (Jonathan Groff)

A dedicated songwriter driven to meet a looming deadline, Gordon battles a fear that he might die with songs unwritten. He is ambitious and talented, yet plagued by anxiety about time and mortality. The experience of illness sharpens his vulnerability while deepening his appreciation for life and art.

🎼 Composer 🧠 Ambitious 💔 Vulnerable

Mimi Schwinn (Ana Gasteyer)

Gordon's mother, a protective and practical presence who blends worry with maternal resolve. She pushes him toward medical realism while trying to shield him from fear, illustrating the push-pull of family support and control. Her steadfast care anchors Gordon as he navigates illness and artistry.

💗 Maternal 🧭 Protective 🫶 Nurturing

Roger

Gordon's boyfriend, a steady source of tenderness and support. He negotiates distance and closeness as Gordon's illness and career pressures mount, choosing to stay by his side when possible and stepping back where needed to honor his partner's needs.

❤️ Supportive 🌊 Loyal 🧭 Understanding

Lisa

A homeless woman Gordon meets earlier, whose plea for change echoes beyond the stage. She reappears as a symbol of social awareness and resilience, offering comfort during Gordon's coma and challenging him to consider the world beyond his art.

🗝️ Catalyst 🧭 Social 🕊️ Compassion

Nancy D.

A stern but capable nurse who probes for family history and context, grounding Gordon's medical journey in practical care. Her efficiency and authority push the emotional limits of the hospital scenes.

🩺 Nurse 🧭 Strict 🧩 Observant

Richard

A warm yet self-doubting nurse who helps prepare Gordon for the MRI and grapples with his own insecurities. His interactions highlight the human fragility present in caregiving.

🧼 Caregiver 🤔 Self-doubt 🧡 Helpful

Doctor Berensteiner

The neurosurgeon who explains the AVM, outlines surgical risks, and guides Gordon through a life-altering decision with professional precision and cautious optimism.

🧠 Surgeon ⚠️ Risk 👨‍⚕️ Authority

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 06:25

Major Themes – A New Brain (2016)

Explore the central themes of A New Brain (2016), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧠 Illness & Recovery

Gordon confronts a potentially life-threatening brain condition, facing the possibility that his songs may remain unwritten. The arc traces the psychological and physical toll of an arteriovenous malformation and the risks of craniotomy. Dreams and visions intersect with medical reality, pushing Gordon to reassess what it means to live and create. Recovery becomes a renewal of purpose, allowing life and art to regain momentum.

🎼 Music & Ambition

Music drives Gordon's every move, pressed by the deadline to craft a spring-themed song for Mr. Bungee. Hallucinations and the pressure to perform mirror the fear of losing creative power. The surgery and recovery reshape his relationship with art, forging a new rhythm and gratitude toward his craft. The concluding songs symbolize art's resilience in the face of fear.

❤️ Relationships

Gordon's bond with Roger tests the balance between professional demands and intimate connection. Mimi's protective, maternal stance contrasts with Gordon's need for independence, highlighting family dynamics under stress. Lisa's appearance as a social and moral catalyst adds another layer to how relationships evolve under pressure. Support, tension, and tenderness animate the journey toward healing.

🧭 Identity & Legacy

The narrative toys with questions of inheritance and self-definition, including Gordo’s Law of Genetics and the tension between Jewish identity and religious certainty. Lisa's social message and memory of her encounter tie art to social change, while the fate of Gordon's books underscores art's fragility and endurance. The interplay of memory, family, and art drives Gordon to redefine what it means to leave a lasting impact.

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 06:25

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Narrative Summary

The narrative is driven by a protagonist's creative or existential crisis. Their internal state—fear, anxiety, imagination—is projected onto the world through dream logic, musical numbers, or visual metaphors. The plot structure is often non-linear, weaving between harsh reality and expressive fantasy, as the character works toward a cathartic artistic or personal resolution.

Why These Movies?

These movies are united by their use of surrealism as a narrative tool to explore psychology and creativity. They share a specific vibe: a steady, introspective pace punctuated by bursts of whimsy or anxiety, creating a unique blend of the melancholic and the imaginative. The tone balances the weight of struggle with the lightness of artistic expression.

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