Life of Brian
Another Gem from Britain’s ‘Monty Python’ Troupe
On a cold, starry night in Bethlehem just more than 2,000 years ago, in a humble manger, a boy is born… just two doors down from another, as-yet-to-be more famous, child. This boy is named “Brian”. Contemplation of the parallels between the lives of Brian and that other more storied child provides fertile landscapes for wry wit, clever historical juxtapositions and insightful social commentary.
All of the hallmarks of the British comedy troupe “Monthy Python’s Flying Circus” are present. The six chaps (Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, John Cleese, Graham Chapman, and Michael Palin) each play numerous roles, serving between them as every major character within the story. There are wacky bits of animation interspersed throughout. The humor ranges from silently physical to some of the most sophisticated twists of phrse, re-interpretations of history, and reflections on the human condition that you are ever likely to witness. The acting and direction are, as always with MPFC, top notch even when zany… and you will probably never see a less-romanticized version of life in the ancient world. Wickedly funny stuff, sometimes bordering on genius, demanding irreverence and the ability to laugh at the etiology of one’s own beliefs.
This holiday season, put an extra log on the fire, make a big bowl of popcorn (‘ocelots’ spleens’, ‘jaguars’ earlobes’ or other snacks worthy of a day at the Roman Games), and settle down with the entire family to re-live that wonderful tale of one man’s life that could be humanity’s salvation: The Life of Brian!