Under the radar
\ Myke bartlett reviews the latest
tv
HOLY FLYING CIRCUS \ UKTV, Sunday December 16, 8.30pm » www.uktv.com.au
tOP Pick
It’s God versus Python in this inventive docudrama, detailing the furore sparked by the release of Monty Python’s Life of Brian. When furious Christians protest outside the American premiere, the comedy troupe is divided about how to tackle its British release. Will the film, as religious leaders suggest, inspire violence? Will young viewers, as Cleese suggests, start copycat crucifixions? As society turns on the Pythons, they begin to turn on each other, leaving them in no fit state to defend their film in an infamous television debate. The real thrust of the drama here revolves around the tense friendship between neurotic John Cleese (Darren Boyd) and sensitive Michael Palin (Charles Edwards). They can barely agree on what their film means, let alone how to defend it. Happily, the film manages to capture much of the wit and irreverence of its subject. Instead of being a straight drama, this is a wilfully skewed comedy. Key facts are set in stone, but there’s plenty of fun to be had messing about with the details. Cleese is portrayed as Basil Fawlty, whereas Palin is married to Terry Jones in drag. The cast, particularly Boyd and Edwards, do a superb job of breaching the gap between the human beings and their public personas. Cheeky, controversial and surprisingly poignant, Holy Flying Circus is a reminder that some things are too important to be taken seriously. \
Myke’s space
Watching \ Louie. A new series of this wonderful, uncomfortable comedy series starts December 18 on ABC 2. Listening \ Motion Sickness. Eclectic bunch of remixes featuring some of Domino’s best acts, including Blood Orange, Hot Chip, Tricky and Four Tet. attending \ The Key of Sea, Volume 2. Another celebration of Australian music at the Hamer Hall, featuring Tim Rogers, Chet Faker and others. (December 14.)
24 The weekly review \ DECEMBER 12, 2012