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Before you proceed with this movie review, I warn you, dear DeBaser user, to watch the movie first and then continue with reading, so as not to spoil your viewing of the film and enjoy it without any annoying spoilers.
Talking about religion is always difficult: whether it is Christian, Muslim, Jewish, or of another kind, it remains a thorny topic that generates a sea of controversy, not least the case of South Park and the threats received by the two creators of the series (Trey Parker and Matt Stone) from some Islamic fundamentalists who wanted to prohibit them from showing Muhammad in an episode of the series, triggering censorship by Comedy Central for fear of possible reprisals. This is what happens in the year of our Lord 2010.
Imagine what happened in 1979, the year of release of this "Brian of Nazareth" ("Life of Brian" in the original language), the third feature film of the English comedy group Monty Python, whose members are, in strict alphabetical order, Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin. The group was already known worldwide thanks to the television series "Monty Python's Flying Circus" and their first two films "And Now for Something Completely Different" and "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" (the latter victim of a ghastly Italian adaptation) when they decided to continue their cinematic career with this film with decidedly uncomfortable content.
The plot is quickly stated: Brian, a contemporary of Jesus Christ, is a Jew (or Roman, depending on the case) tired of the rule of the men of Julius Caesar and who therefore joins the People's Front of Judea to change the situation of his society. Having become an idol of the party thanks to a Roman legionary who is overly "diligent" regarding Latin grammar, and then, thanks to some simple sensible phrases, the idol of the people, Brian ends up being sought by the Roman army who will arrest him and condemn him to crucifixion.
The film skillfully plays with a continuous parallelism between the figures of Jesus and the poor Brian (played by Chapman): from the first two scenes, in fact, one can see how the lives of these two characters are closely connected, starting with the fact that they are born on the same day a few huts away from each other (thus creating a hilarious misunderstanding between the Magi and Brian’s nagging mother). Another significant moment is right after the opening credits: it is not by chance that what will ignite in Brian a desire for revenge against the Romans will be the Sermon on the Mount delivered by Jesus to the crowd in Galilee. Two lives, then, that the Monty Python portray as parallel, but showing numerous points of contact.
It is also glaring how the life of Brian and Jesus ends in a similar manner, and how the reactions of both are the same: both crucified, Brian and Christ do not wish for death at all, they would like to avoid it in every possible way, but in the end, they will end up there, on the cross. In this scene that concludes the film, therefore, the whole spirit of the film is concentrated, capturing a humanity that is highly criticized and despised: in fact, the protagonist receives a visit from the obtuse centurions who came to free him on Pilate's orders, but due to a misunderstanding, they end up releasing the wrong person; it is then the turn of the People's Front of Judea who, in their laziness and idleness, prefer to leave him there on the cross as a martyr rather than act actively to free him; it then moves on to Brian's mother who begins to scold him as if he had done some minor mischief, leaving him there as "punishment"; finally, his love Judith arrives, who, enthusiastic, believes that Brian’s was a considered choice and, unable to hear any other opinion, leaves him there too, alone to die.
The blind and stupid obedience of the pagan soldiers and religious servants who cannot think with their own heads, the inability to act of the politicians/activists, the exaltation and irritation without a way out of loved ones: this dramatic microcosm passes before Brian, the only positive and pure character in the film; it almost seems that with this scene the Monty Python, borrowing a theory dear to Nietzsche, wanted to show us for what kind of people Jesus Christ sacrificed himself. Thus, returning to the original meaning of "satire" (criticism against the vices of humanity in general), the comedy group leaves, hidden among the gags and laughter, a profound message with a bitter aftertaste. Hence, the viewer is left to ask: "Was it really worth sacrificing for this kind of humanity?" The answer is not as certain as it seems.
Despite everything, the film ends on a hopeful note: Brian, now disheartened, is cheered up by a neighboring crucified man (Eric Idle) who performs a musical number, singing along with all the other condemned the wonderful "Always Look On The Bright Side of Life", thus telling us that life is indeed crappy, but you must always look on the bright side, no matter what happens. And to do so, the Monty Python are always there to give you a hand.
Speaking of laughs, the gags in this film are innumerable and devastating: however, a particular mention deserves the Pilate interpreted by Michael Palin, with his "soft R" and the delirious scenes involving his friend Biggus Dickus (also with a speech impediment); also noteworthy is the silent hermit (Terry Jones) disrupted by Brian and the centurion (John Cleese) who discusses with an old man how painful crucifixion is. But any scene from this film has incredibly high comic potential, with a rhythm that is always high and constant. Despite all this, however, the film at the time received fierce criticism for its alleged "blasphemies" and for some unsuitable contents shown within the film (including some full nudity), so much so that in certain countries (for example, Norway) it was censored, while here in Italy it did not see the light until 1991, that is, 12 years after its creation.
In conclusion, this is a film that makes you laugh, makes you reflect, is original, and leaves an important message to the viewer: it is always worthwhile to look on the bright side of life because, in the end, what do we have to lose? We are born from nothing and return to nothing. And so, what have we lost? Nothing!
Always look on the bright side of life.
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