Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (1983)

Review by Bret Walker

The classic Python humor comes back to the silver screen for the final lap in this unbelievably madcap and controversial look at what life is really all about. The Pythons had not made a film together since the widely boycotted Life of Brian, and this one was much anticipated by both fans and critics alike.

The Meaning of Life is really two separate films; the short feature at the beginning called The Crimson Permanent Assurance, an amusing tale of an oppressed accounting firm whose disgruntled employees rise up and overthrow their management, then set sail on the sea of high finance, plundering banks as they go. The Meaning of Life's feature, The Meaning of Life, divides the actual meaning of life into seven parts: The Miracle of Birth, Learning, Fighting Each Other, Live Organ Transplants, The Autumn Years, The Meaning of Life, and Death. Each section offers humorous looks at different philosophies from a very British point of view. In short, unless you are a purveyor of British Humor, this film may not be for you.

But those who are fans of the Python troop and of British humor in general will find this film extremely amusing. It's definitely the finest opus that the Pythons have offered, albeit their last as the collective Flying Circus. They have been quoted as saying that this film took a lot out of them individually and collectively, requiring much more time and perfection than their previous offerings. After this film was released, they went their separate ways and gathered as a troop only for a brief reunion for the Showtime film, Parrot Sketch Not Included, hosted by Steve Martin.

So if you have a rhino skin and enjoy the Pythons, check this one out if you haven't already. And if you have, check it out again. It's been years since I've seen this, and when I brought it out of retirement I laughed as hard as I did the first time I saw it. It's a classic that never loses its luster.

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Trivia:

Monty Python's Meaning of Life is Matt Frewer's first film. He appeared briefly in the opening segment, The Crimson Permanent Assurance, and again in the segment titled "The Meaning of Life." This all well before he made a name for himself as Max Headroom, and in later films such as Honey, I Shrunk the Kids and National Lampoon's Senior Class Trip.

Terry Gilliam, the only American in the all-British troop, took his place behind the camera after the Python's parted ways and crafted such artsy films as Brazil, The Fisher King, 12 Monkeys, and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, among others.

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