Monty Python's Life of Chri.. Brian

Life of Brian. This one was a doozy. It was a good watch for anyone who likes the Monty Python series, or just has an interest in the sort of humor that such films portray. I did not particularly enjoy the film, but I was not watching it in the hopes to be entertained. Instead, my eyes were focused on rhetorical strategies used by the film makers, as I have been like with every movie we have watched thus far. There were ALL KINDS of criticisms in Life of Brian.

First off, there is a crazy separation of genders. This is mainly demonstrated in the discussion between the members of the PJF... I think. One man says it is his right to have babies. Of course this is obserd, but the other members, after some "logical" discussion, agree that yes, it IS his right to have babies. Not once do the members of the group talk about the rights of women. I'm just sayin. Also, Brian's mother was played by a man. This could possibly be a representation of the idea that women were unable to play leading roles, but I tend to doubt that because of Judith. I think that this was just something funny that the cast wanted to put in.

The most prevalent criticism throughout the movie was that of religion. Everything that happened in the film had something to do with a correlation to the Bible or the life of Jesus Christ. The biggest example was the mistaking of Brian as the Messiah. I felt as though this made it seem like people who were searching for religion (or who are today) will follow anything. Once they felt that Brian was some sort of prophet, they were right behind him in everything he did, promising to do what he says. This is oddly familiar to Tyler Durdan's society in "Fight Club" (which is one of the greatest films of all time, and if you haven't seen it, YOU SHOULD). They never really do obey him though. They are so busy trying to "interperate" Brain's "sermons" that they don't ever truly listen to him. When Brian tells them to leave him alone, they bombard him with questions of instruction like, "how do we leave you alone?" In a way, it sort of feels like Monty Python is suggesting that religion oriented people are kinda crazy, and in the very least, quite annoying.

Another subject that can be deemed edgy is the film's frequent use of crucifixion. The movie suggests that the Romans crucified EVERYTHING. In a way, this is partly true, in that crucifixion was a "popular" form of execution back in that time. But hundreds of crucifixions a day is very exaggerated. However, crucifixion takes the hardest hit in the final scene of the movie, when Brian meets his fate. He is very distraught that no one comes to his rescue, and feels that all hope is lost. That is, until someone starts singing a silly song to cheer everyone up. Suddenly, everything is peachy. Nothing is wrong. This definitely takes the severity of crucifixion away, which is the basis of nearly all Christian beliefs. That is that Christ truly suffered for our sins, instead of sang a song about how good life is.

Overall, I'm glad I didn't watch this movie with my parents.