The phrase �comic genius� is probably the most overused and hence devalued description in the English language. Anybody who writes one series of a half-decent sitcom is apparently a comic genius. Some of them haven�t even managed that. How refreshing then, to see real genius at work. As suggested by the title, the film follows King Arthur�s (Chapman) quest for the Holy Grail, with the assistance of his fellow knights. That�s really all the plot there is. A big criticism of The Holy Grail is that rather than a film it feels more like a series of sketches (which is what the Python team normally produced for television). The end of the film is very disappointing and leaves a flat feeling of �is that it�. There is no ending as such, the film simply stops.
Doubtless people will try to defend it arguing it shows a nonconformist stance to the imposed conventions of storytelling, or some such bollocks. But these are the sort of people who consider Tracey Emin�s bed, covered in dirty plates and used condoms, to be art. However, despite this criticism The Holy Grail is quite possibly the funniest film I have ever seen. For the sheer number of laugh out loud scenes it stands alone. Most comedies age badly but The Holy Grail is just as funny today as when it was written and the film only gains in appeal with repeat viewings. Scenes such as Michael Palin�s political peasant (�Now we see the violence inherent in the system�) and the bridge of doom are rightly classics.
Having said this, I don�t feel the cartoon segments add anything at all. They are usually too long and not funny. This means they tend to get skipped past once you have watched the film for the first time. In fact there is a temptation to simply fast forward to your favourite sketches. Despite the above criticisms Monty Python and the Holy Grail is a hilarious classic and well worthy of four stars. |
