Four Lions is Chris Morris' return to form, a film worthy of association with the genius both of his 90s output and the record (and movie) label Warp. It tells the story of a group of would-be Islamist terrorists in Sheffield, haphazardly organising a suicide bombing alongside their everyday lives as father, husband, neighbour, brother.
The performance of Riz Ahmed as Omar, the lead character, was brilliant, totally convincing. The supporting cast was solid too. The humour was classic Chris Morris, and it managed to stay (just) on the side of plausible rather than falling into farce, most of the time. There were some parts which were shocking, in one or two cases too shocking to be funny despite their comedy potential.
This is a film that treats the audience as adults and doesn't tell you what to think of what is happening onscreen. I felt a bit confused after seeing it - but not in a bad way. It takes a few days to let the content sink in: always the sign of an interesting film, but something that often happens following a movie which is not particularly enjoyable to watch (such as extreme French horror Martyrs). Four Lions, however, is both a quotable knockabout comedy-drama and a unique, thoughtful, even seminal film of ideas. A must-see.
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This is the first review that's made me want to see it! The way everyone else talks about it as a Dad's Army style farce doesn't half put me off, as does Chris Morris's work on Nathan Barley, which I thought was awful. Still think I'll wait for the DVD though...
ReplyDeleteWell, it's no Avatar - I don't think it needs to be seen at the cinema - but definitely see it. I was really surprised by how good it was. The trailers undersell it I think. It's in a different league to Nathan Barley. The Day Today/Brasseye league. But it is a dramatic piece, not really a farce, I don't think, though I know Morris has described it as such. But that's not the tone. The humour is dark and vicious, but there are long sequences without laughs.
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