Life of Brian (1979)

User Review

• 

  BarneyNuttall

  7 / 10

  After being deeply saddened by the news of Terry Jones' death, I decided to finally watch Life of Brian properly. I had viewed it ina fragmentry fashion many a time, for some unknown reason. It was time to give it the real movie treatment.
  
  This is undoubtedly a classic. Everyone knows and adores Life of Brian and can at least quote one line; a requirement on the British citizenship test. So, throughout this review, do know that I kneel down and pay my dues to this monument.
  
  However, I thought Life of Brian to be good. There are moments of Python's brilliance, but nothing that truly seems striking. Well, apart from the overall concept. The jokes are undeniably humorous but seem to dwindle at times, falling into cycles of repetition.
  
  Perhaps, it is the film's lack of absurdities and surreal humour that doesn't quite strike a chord with me. I adore The Holy Grail, particularly for its bizarre imagery. Need I remind of the killer rabbits or the renowned shrubbery with a little picket fence? When I first saw the ending of Holy Grail I sat in disbelief. How could that happen? What just happened? What?
  
  Life of Brian doesn't replicate this sense of disbelief for me. It seems a lot more controlled and rehearsed in its decisions. For some, this may be a blessing, but I prefer their unhinged minds unreeling in rainbow colours on the screen.
  
  Life of Brian is a funny film, with a bold choice of topic. Whilst it doesn't always work for me, anyone, myself included, can understand and respect the statue of british comedy that is this movie.

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