MONTY PYTHON'S LIFE OF BRIAN
A film review by Andrew Hicks
Copyright 1996 Andrew Hicks / Fatboy Productions
(1979) ** (out of four)
I've heard this movie condemned as one of the most blasphemous pieces of Satanic filth ever put on celluloid. I'd say it's just not that funny. When you're taking on the dominant religion of your culture, you'd better have some pretty dynamite material, but that can't be said when the funniest part of the movie has your "chosen one" singing "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" while being crucified. The Monty Python troupe managed to turn death and the afterlife into something hilarious in THE MEANING OF LIFE, but when trying to satire the life of Jesus, they more or less strike out.
Their focus isn't on Jesus Himself but on a lesser known contemporary, Brian, who lives a normal life until one day a bunch of people just start following him for no reason. He is soon hailed as the Messiah, even though he insists he's not. And eventually, he ends up on the cross singing "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life." A skimpy plot summary, yes, but so is the plot itself. I only saw this two days ago but can scarcely remember anything about it other than the impression that only a few of the jokes were funny. It would have taken a miracle from God to save this movie, but obviously the Pythonites aren't on His good side anymore.
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