We're going to do what Fox News has been demanding for years, and put the Christ back in Christmas. With that in mind, Life of Brian fits in perfectly. It's the story of a young man in Biblical times who was born in the manger next door to Jesus's barn, and spends his entire life in the shadow of the famous prophet/Son of God. He is constantly mistaken for the Messiah, a misunderstanding his mother is quick to correct. Life of Brian doesn't pull any punches with its religious (and some might say blasphemous) satire. Like many other movies about Jesus Christ, it was decidedly controversial, drawing ire from the religious right in several different countries. When Norway banned Life of Brian, Sweden famously marketed it as the film so funny it was banned in Norway. Life of Brian somehow manages to feel smart in the way that it mercilessly mocks its target, even when its just making Roman-style dick jokes. It's hard not to be impressed with what they were able to get away with when you see a row of people on crucifixes singing Always Look on the Bright Side of Life. Forget Jingle Bells, that's the real song of the season.
Audrey Fox is an ex-film student, which means that she prefers to spend her days in the dark, watching movies and pondering the director's use of diegetic sound. She currently works as an entertainment writer, joyfully rambling about all things film and television related. Add her on Twitter at @audonamission and check out her film blog at 1001moviesandbeyond.com.
