Life of Brian

No, not Brian Ross of Chud. The Monty Python movie that most of you have seen, I'm sure. My brother pulled this one out on dvd and played it. Jesus, what an ending, with everyone hanging on their cross, singing and whistling the tune, "Always look on the bright side of life". I found it interesting that the movie reminded me of Brazil in some ways, which it should, because Terry Gilliam and Eric Idle are among the creators. It was like a low-budget, light-hearted precursor to Brazil, until the ending. So, I know the gang is absurdist, but there is something more. What do you call it? Is it as simple as "life's a piece of shit, but, always look on the bright side of life", or is it just that life's a piece of shit, and you are stupid if you always try to look on the bright side of life?
It was funny, by the way. "Blessed be the cheesemakers" "Blessed are the Greek" ha ha ha!

I've never seen it. Perhaps I should. I'm not a Monty Python expert or anything, I just have enjoyed their television show in the past, and have my favorite skits, like many Chewers. One of my all-time favs would have to be the Monks who have a vow of silence and get into a food fight.

I just couldn't understand, to my frustration, what so many Chewers liked about "Brazil". It was frightfully depressing. I did see people crying in the theater when it was over. What could be worse than seeing a precious human life destroyed by insanity?

Re: Re: Life of Brian

Yes, Z-Man, it does take a nasty view of human nature, in many scenes. I thought the scene you describe when Brian stops to talk to his followers was the Pythons trying to make it clear to audiences that they are against organized religion. I assume that, especially, because British humor, if you want to generalize, does that ruthelessly. True, though, his followers' reaction was probably a reference to the stupidity of people when it comes to religion, as Monty Python sees it.
Both the human nature and religion bashing shocks me a bit, probably because I am American, and therefore, I must retain a kernel of optimism no matter what. I'm also moderately religious, and I like to keep my beliefs, thank you very much, Monty Python guys. None of that prevents me from liking Monty Python, because they are creative and genuinely funny. I want to be taken out of my comfort zone from time to time.

Jabba, I will try to see "The Meaning of Life" soon. I didn't have any discussion with my brother about "Life of Brian" after watching it, although we both laughed, and it was awfully funny in some parts, with Pontius Pilate and his speech impediment for instance. It was the first viewing for both of us. He asked me what I thought, and I said something like I don't know, what do you think, and he said I don't know, what do you think. He's not a church goer at all.

Isn't it spicy the way that two intelligent people can give two opposite opinions on the same movie one right after the other? Dudes! Cogs of Fate and Z-man. I suppose it partly depends on how willing you are to look for meaning and worth in a movie, which is everyone's perogative. There have been times when I just called out "snore" right at the beginning of a movie, just because I felt like it was trying to manipulate me somehow.

I'll keep that in mind. Can't say it wins me over, though.


I tried to watch The Meaning of Life last night, on dvd. I got as far as the schoolmaster's lesson on sex. My son was sitting next to me. I'll have watch that one on my own. I agree with Z-man so far, in that Life of Brian is the most satirical, and The Meaning of Life is the most surreal. It also lays it on heavy with the scathing diatribe against church rules and practices.

I saw the short feature at the beginning of the dvd, about the accounting firm whose employees revolt, and their building turns into a ship. That was very surreal, and visually rich, definitely a big step in budget.