Four Lions
Review
by Anthony Morris
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Four Lions
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Lauded as a comedy genius in the UK for his television series Brass Eye but basically unknown here, Four Lions director Chris Morris specialises in making people laugh at things they think they shouldn't.
It
is hardly surprising then that his first feature is a full-on slapstick
comedy centred on the misadventures of four completely serious – if
only marginally competent – UK suicide bombers.
It is a
shocking conceit and writer / director Morris plays it to the hilt with
bungled martyrdom videos, surreally stupid attempts at buying loads of
explosive compounds and exploding crows.
There is also the
"logic" that makes no logical sense : when angry white convert Barry
(Nigel Lindsay) wants to bomb a mosque to radicalise UK Muslims, Omar
(Riz Ahmed) points out that's like trying to win a fight by punching
yourself in the face.
Their antics may be silly but the
seriousness of what they intend is never ignored. Morris' genius is in
balancing the two, making a film that finds the humour in the reality
of suicide bombers in the west.
Turns out there is an awful lot of humour there : therefore Four Lions is easily one of the funniest films of the year. 4.5 out
of 5
Four Lions
Australian release: 19th August,
2010
Official
Site: Four Lions
Cast: Riz Ahmed, Arsher Ali, Nigel Lindsay, Kayvan Novak, Adeel Akhtar
Director: Chris Morris
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