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RELIGULOUS Send This Review to a Friend
Bill Maher is not only a very funny observer of the world scene; he is also a very smart fellow. In “Religulous,” another of the important films shown at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival, he travels internationally to confront various kinds of religions with his irreverent questions and anti-religious bias. The result is blasphemously hilarious with his clever comments accented by interspersed film clips that provide their own comic commentary. The film has been directed by Larry Charles, who previously directed “Borat,” so that will give you and idea of the technique applied.
Maher is especially keen on puncturing holes in literal dogma, laughing at the absurd idea of a man living inside a fish and other Biblical tales. He has his critical lance poised against creationists, and he delights in baiting interview subjects. He also seeks out the oddballs who make a religion out of marijuana or claim to be a descendant of Jesus, as well as those who preach against gays or are converts to Jews for Jesus.
He is filmed in front of the Vatican skewering the Catholic Church. His confrontations throughout are geared to get laughs at the expense of religion, which he holds responsible for death and destruction in human history. At the end, he drops the comedy and makes an appeal for people to rise up and make themselves heard in opposition to the role religion plays.
Obviously, those who don’t share his views may feel offended. But those who do may delight in his humor and the intellectual points scored. A Lionsgate release.
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