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We are in year 0, the night between December 24 and 25; three Wise Men, guided by a Comet Star, arrive in a cave where the supposed "Son of God" has just been born to bring gifts of gold, incense, and myrrh. But there is a mistake: the newborn is not who everyone expects; his name is Brian, and he is the son of a woman "a bit friendly with all the Romans." The three Wise Men, realizing the colossal mistake, take back all the gifts and proceed to the next cave, where another child named Jesus has just been born. This will be the first (and not the last) time poor Brian will suffer humiliation. Thirty-three years later, Brian, now an adult, tired of the Roman oppression of his people, decides to join the terrorist organization "People's Front of Judea" (not to be confused with the rival Judean People's Front) and writes "Romans go home" in somewhat macaronic Latin in the main square of the city. A bit by misfortune, a bit by chance, he is mistaken for the Messiah and is crucified.
It's not a blasphemous movie as many have presented it: "Life of Brian" is not a work against Christianity, but rather a manifesto against political and religious fanaticism. Brian is mistaken for the Messiah because, taking on the garb of a preacher during a flight attempt from the Romans, he mutters a few clichés. The people, hungry for a charismatic spiritual guide, go into a frenzy at the idea that this unfortunate man is the Son of God. The irrationality of these people is evident in the scene where the protagonist, tired of the followers who continuously trail him, invites them to go f... themselves, and they, moved, respond: "Tell us how, O Messiah, give us a sign!"
Noteworthy is the chameleon-like acting of each of the six Monty Python members: Chapman plays the old Brian and the Roman Biggus Dickus, Jones is Brian's mother, the other four alternate playing Romans, Jews, and supporting characters. Historic is Palin's portrayal of Pilate with the lisping "r", annoyed by the laughter of the soldiers over his way of pronouncing Biggus Dickus. The humor takes an intellectual turn with continuous historical and Latin references (just think of the wordplay between "Romanes Eunt Domus" and "Romani Ite Domum").
"Life of Brian" has been one of the most irreverent and ingenious films in the history of cinema. It's hard to believe that even after thirty years, very few films have provoked the same indignation/admiration from the general public. Not even the recent (and good) show "Little Britain" has managed, with its obsessive provocation towards English society, to express a tenth of the genius and innovation of the legendary Monty Python. "Life of Brian" is one of the best manifestos of English humor. We probably have to wait much longer to see a film equally witty.
p.s. I forgot... do you find it laughable when I pronounce the name of Biggus Drickus?
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