The Life of Brian

The Life of Brian (1979)
Director: Terry Jones
Cast: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Jones, Eric Idle, Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam
Memorable Line: "Blessed are the cheesemakers?"

Some say it's sacrilegious while other say it's one of the funniest films they've ever seen. Straddling a thin line, Life of Brian is full some of the most of well written and performed comic bits ever on the big screen.

The Life of Brian has us following around none other than Brian (Chapman), a bit of sad sack living who just happened to be born at the same time of a significant religious figure in the manger right next door. We meander around with Brian from a group of underground Jews complaining about how the Romans have bettered their lives, to trying to sit in at the Sermon on the mount, to a mishaps in which he is confused for the Messiah and ends up in line for cruxifiction.

None of the above plot line may sound funny at all, but in the hands of the cast from Monty Python, this film is at once silly then exceptionally witty. The comedy bits are sharp and this film has a much more polished look and feel than their earlier film Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

The Python crew take on several roles from the Jewish man who wants to protest Roman occupation by having a baby to a Roman leader who goes by the name Biggus Dickus. Yes, it's low brow at times, but it is quite funny.

If you're not a fan of British humor and, in specifically, Monty Python, this film probably isn't for you. But if you like a good laugh, then The Life of Brian is a movie that is sure to be just funny as it was when it released.