Life of Brian

Synopsis: Monty Python delivers the group’s sharpest and smartest satire of both religion and Hollywood’s epic films. Set in 33 A.D. Judea where the exasperated Romans try to impose order, it is a time of chaos and change with no shortage of messiahs and followers willing to believe in them. As its center is Brian Cohen, born in Bethlehem in a stable next door, who, by a series of absurd circumstances is caught up in the new religion and reluctantly mistaken for the promised messiah, providing ample opportunity for the entire ensemble (Graham Champman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin) to shine in multiple roles as they question everyone and everything from ex lepers, Pontius Pilate and haggling to revolutionaries, crazy prophets, religious fanaticism, Roman centurions and crucifixion, forever changing our biblical view.
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Life of Brian 9.0

This is Monty Python’s crowning achievement in a career stacked with genre-defining moments. It’s their most cohesive film, it’s epic and it covers so many styles of humour that it is bound to appeal to many or most – anyone who can have a sense of humour about the story of Christ, that is.

…because ‘Life of Brian’ is a satirical piece about religious fervour – and it would easily offend people who don’t appreciate the obvious parallels between Brian of Nazareth’s life and that of Jesus (in fact, it did at the time – and The Pythons had to defend their film vigorously in heated debates).

However, if one is open-minded to this concept, and if one likes socio-political commentary mixed in with abundant layers of humourous dialogue (and situations), ‘Life of Brian’ is right up there with the best comedies ever to grace the silver screen. In it they cover faith, military occupation, terrorism, political correctness, gender issues, GLBTQ issues, personal identity, freedom of speech and expression, happiness, …etc.

…all of this in one, 90-minute movie!

Whether one agrees with The Pythons’ views or not, ‘Life of Brian’ is vastly under-rated. It’s brilliant. It’s pure genius.

One response to “Life of Brian

  1. Pingback: There’s Something About Mary | thecriticaleye·

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