Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (1982)
Directed by Terry Jones / Terry Gilliam
Genres - Comedy |
Sub-Genres - Absurd Comedy, Gross-Out Comedy, Parody/Spoof, Satire, Farce |
Run Time - 100 min. |
Countries - United Kingdom |
MPAA Rating - R
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Synopsis by Hal Erickson
The Meaning of Life is without a doubt the most tasteless of the Monty Python feature films; it also happens to be one of the funniest. Life's questions are "answered" in a series of outrageous vignettes, beginning with a pre-credits sequence at a staid London insurance company which transforms before our eyes into a pirate ship. One of our favorite bits involve the National Health doctors who try to claim a healthy liver from a still-living donor, pointing out that there's nothing in his contract preventing this. And of course, there's the scene with the world's most voracious glutton, who brings the art of vomiting to new heights before his spectacular demise. Be warned: though hilarious, this may be the grossest bit of comedy filmmaking ever conceived (there aren't enough words in the world to describe it in detail!). Loyal Pythonites Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin star in The Meaning of Life and share writing responsibilities, while Jones is in the director's chair this time out.
Characteristics
Moods
Themes
Keywords
meaning-of-life, eating, philosophy, sex, war, marriage, religion, history, swashbuckler, performer
Attributes
Cult Film