The plot follows the story of a boy named Brian who is mistaken for Jesus. The unfortunate boy grows up and manages to earn himself some followers due to a comic mix-up, followers I might add, who completely ignore his protests that he’s not the Savior. He’s managed to earn the ire of the Romans whom he despises, and has joined an anti-Roman group. His status as a Messiah was pure accident; he was trying to hide from the Romans and spouted nonsense among the other crazies preaching their religion to fit in. He later finds himself on a cross dying for something he didn’t really believe in. His numerous followers, which had once haunted his home and made it difficult to live a normal life, leave him there thinking he intends to become a martyr. One of his fellow mates on a crucifix of his own sings “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” as the credits roll.

At first glance, Life of Brian is merely a silly little movie about a guy who is mistaken for Jesus. The full title Monty Python’s The Life of Brian, gives you some idea of what this movie must be like, and is chocked full of the quintessential stoning jokes. The humor is strange, sometimes lewd, and half of the movie doesn’t seem to have a real plot. Then again it’s a satire, what do you expect?

The Life of Brian reminds us of why Christianity has so many sects. In one notable scene, Brian manages to finally get rid of a gourd he never wanted by giving it to the first person who he could hand it off to. Once he starts being chased by the mob he also loses a sandal. Immediately the main group splits off into two sides; the one who believes in the sandal, and the one who follows the gourd.

One side believes that the show must be followed, and immediately some of them decide that it means they should hold up one of their sandals. Others believe that it signifies they should cast off whatever shoes they are wearing, and still more believe it means they should gather shoes. They seem undecided as to whether it is even a sandal or a shoe. Before long even the pro-shoe/sandal/footwear group is arguing amongst themselves. It’s a comical scene, but one that illustrates the mind set of a religion that can’t seem to agree with itself.

After a man comments absently to his wife, “That piece of halibut was good enough for Jehovah”, he is sent to trial so he can be stoned for simply saying the name. Of course, in the process of convicting him, the priest accidentally says the word, and is stoned to death instead by the overenthusiastic crowd. It’s a reminder that one should be careful when accusing others, or one might very well suffer the same fate later.

It also dives into sexism and, interestingly enough, politics.

Reflection
Brian’s followers are fanatics who can’t seem to think for themselves. When a desperate Brian implores them to please think for themselves they answer in unison and don’t seem to understand what he’s actually asking them to do. This movie simply reminds us that if we are to be religious then we must think for ourselves and hear the actual message instead of following blindly. Another irony is that Brian claims neither attention nor followers; they all see fit to follow him because he won’t stop denying that he is not the Messiah, which is of course the truth.

Influences
Life of Brian does not simply mock religion. The movie itself incited controversy, oddly enough, since it has few Christian religious jokes but in fact pokes fun in general. One of the best jokes involves two of the numerous anti-Roman groups. They too have split over trivial matters, and spent more time fighting each other, eventually destroying each other, and ignoring their original Roman targets. There’s also a joke where an inquiry about what Romans have done for them leads to a long list of Roman accomplishments, which were ignored.

In fact, the jokes seem to be more aimed at the very believers who criticize it; those who follow blindly. It does not target religion so much as it’s followers, who seem to lack the ability to laugh at themselves. In fact, in this movie both God and Jesus are not at all poked fun at; they are clearly not the targets in this movie.

The Life of Brian is 20 years old but doesn’t seem like it; the issues shown are just as relevant today as they were then, which is one reason why I picked this slightly older movie. This film not only reflects problems with religion, sexism, justice, and political issues but brings them all to light in a very funny way, and allows us to look at ourselves differently.

Interested in buying this? Support Writing.Com by making your purchase of Monty Python's Life of Brian   from Amazon.Com!

Created May 31, 2005 at 7:15pm • Submit your own review...