The Meaning of Life (1983) 107 Minutes

Brand new father, Nubby, hot off the success of ‘The In-Laws’ drew calls of

“skip” after his twenty minute attempt to set up his film resulted in taking

Monty Python’s 1983 film from ten minutes in. The crowd soon silenced as

the British odd balls began to work their magic. Always stoic Ben Wiener

maintained that it was “not a movie, just a series of sketches.” While Wiener’s

accurate description went undisputed, the crew seemed engaged all the way through. The appearance of Carla and her friend Gina (Carla’s invite was well established, where Gina’s was not specifically approved) added to some disjointedness in the presentation. But the screening brought forward two issues now addressed by the updated By-Laws.

“What's wrong with a kiss, boy? Hmm? Why not start her off with a nice kiss? You don't have to go leaping straight for the clitoris like a bull at a gate. Give her a kiss, boy. “

Written by: Graham Chapman & John Cleese & Terry Gilliam & Eric Idle & Terry Jones & Michael Palin

Directed by: Terry Jones & Terry Gilliam

BBD Comments:

I am tempted to just criticize Nubs for his total inability to start a film. The fact that we missed the first ten minutes is absolutely atrocious. To quote Roger Ebert, “you can only see a movie for the first time once.” I think we should propose a By-Law requiring Nubs to rehearse starting the movie at home before he brings it to the Back Yard. That being said, his selection won over a hostile crowd and in the end, ‘The Meaning of Life’ stands as a real piece of cinema. Once I got past wishing I was watching a story, I became very engaged and found the film a fine choice to mark the birth of August. In terms of speaking to a moment in Nubs’ own life the appearance of the waiter at the end was priceless, unexpected and highlighted the fact that Nubs somehow pulled it off again. But he’s still an asshole.

Coolbaugh Comments:

Yes. It was quite the effort from Nubs. While unofficial, topical selections have managed to make their way into the unwritten by-laws. I like the fact that it's unwritten - flexibility is a necessity when it comes to the selections. That said, Nubs, all aglow from his newest family member came in with a million of directions he could go. In typical fashion, he received his share of criticism, prior to the start, of course during the 20 minute set up (13 weeks running now), and even early on in the film's first skit...errr...second skit (thanks to Nubs' set up faux pas...he managed to start the film in the middle, a Movienight first.) I, in particular, jumped on the Wiener Wagon, and gave Nubs his regular - albeit undeserved - berating. I might go so far as to say that Nubs is our Ace. When he steps on the mound, he delivers...and does so in crunch time. No SELECTOR to date has faced the animosity that Nubs has, even during the early frames of his film - yet he manages to overcome and triumph. This week was no exception.

Wiener Comments:

Worst movie night to date.

Sorry. I know Zack just had a new kid and all that, so I should probably go easy. If he was so busy changing diapers he didn't have time to pick a movie, and just grabbed TMOL because he owned it, that's one thing. But Zack actually made advance preparations to show us the weakest film screened to date.

I must confess a certain antipathy to Monty Python. Perhaps if nerds weren't so fond of quoting it all the time in shrill voices, I'd hate them less. But anything Monty Python takes me back to 8th grade and fills me with a burning desire to lock someone in a locker, break their glasses, or smash their scientific calculator if they insist on repeating "The machine that goes PING!" one more time and then giggling.

That being said, TMOL isn't a film. It's a series of loosely linked gags. Some are funny. Some less so.

Given the film is 23 years old, it's aged remarkably well. Depressingly, the social commentary is uncannily relevant. And the film still looks good. However, I would have preferred to see a real movie.

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