Review of Four Lions (2010) by Brian C — 25 Mar 2011

Four Lions represents a bold move to attempt to make a black comedy centered on four jihadists in Britain. Many other reviews enjoy throwing around Dr. Strangelove, Monty Python and Spinal Tap as comparisons. Unfortunately, this movie has a lot more soul to it than its funnier comparisons. The father-son relationship is slightly frightening as it illustrates indoctrination, and the relationships among the plotters is manipulative in an unfunny manner.

Sure, there are a handful of scenes that are riotous. It is almost a shame that those scenes are there, but in a way they obscure memories of the more poignant scenes in the movies. It may have a been a far braver movie if the director dropped the comedic aspect and explored the characters more.