"Religulous" *** (out of ****)Before I begin this review I suppose I should tell you some small bits of information about myself. I went to a Catholic elementary school between the grades k-5. For my first year of high school I went back to the same school.
I'm not the world's most religious person but members of my family are firm believers. It wouldn't surprise me if there was a God but sometimes I wonder, with so many religions in the world, how can one tell which is correct unless you were born into one.
I also find when most people, especially those in mainstream media, discuss "religion" what they really mean to imply is the Catholic faith. Christianity is their main target. When people have a problem with religion they almost always complain about Catholics.
And to a very large extent this takes place in Bill Maher and Larry Charles' documentary "Religulous". The film runs about 95 minutes. For the first hour of the film Maher only attacks the Catholic faith.
In case some readers may not know who Bill Maher is, he is the current host of the HBO show "Real Time" where he discuss mostly politics but sometimes pop culture and religion. He started off as a stand-up comic before getting his own show "Politically Incorrect", where after many years was fired when he made remarks which were interpreted as Un-American regarding 9/11. He has long held the position of an Agnostic. And once in a while he drives this point home on his show. In "Religulous" he attempts to ask people why do they believe? Religion, to Mr. Maher is irrational. All religion is bad.
Watching just the first few minutes of "Religulous" it is clear Maher isn't really interested in a rational debate. He is in the business of smearing. He wants to make his subjects look bad. He wants to ridicule them with the proper editing.
One of the problems I personally had with Maher is he takes everything so literal and thinks all Catholics do as well. He laughs to himself when he says how can people really think they are eating and drinking the body and blood of Christ during communion. I've taken my communion. Whenever I go to church I always participate in the Eucharist. I don't literally think it is the body and blood of Christ. I understand it is symbolic. And I'm willing to bet other Catholics would agree with me. But that wouldn't get laughs so Maher doesn't offer that view point.
I wasn't offended watching "Religulous" but I did find certain things striking about it. Maher does spend the majority of the film attacking the Christian faith. And the way he talks down to these people. He is condescending. Always throwing in an insult. Always a bullshit remark slipping out. He is very obnoxious. If Maher thinks religious people are intolerant, he should take a look in a mirror. No one is going to change his mind and with his attitude he's not going to change any one's mind either. And that becomes the great failing of the film. A serious examination could have been made concerning religious beliefs. I have no doubt about that. But Bill Maher is not the man for the job. Of course Maher or his defenders will say, this was suppose to be a comedy. Well, it's not very funny sir. You are too abrasive in your interviews. I've heard better conversations on "Real Time" then in this movie. It is completely one-sided in Maher's favor.
What it interesting though is how Maher treats other religions. Where Maher is condescending towards Catholic faith and acts like a smart-ass notice how timid he seems when talking about Islam. He's not a smart-ass anymore! He even wears a suit at one point to interview someone. He doesn't interrupt them when they speak. He makes his snide remarks when away from people in his car with the director. And when he tries to make a point about violence in which he sees in the Koran and the way women are treated he is told he is wrong. But he is never at any point as confrontational with them as he is with Catholics. Maher must think it is okay to act like a prick with Catholics because nothing will happen to him. But try messing around with Muslims, all of a sudden Maher is on his toes and watches what he says.
Judaism goes unscathed. Maher only interviews a few people and doesn't attack the religion with the same fire as he does the Catholic faith. He does make fun of Mormonism and Scientology but these are like brief comedy bits. He doesn't offer the same unrelenting attacks.
I mention all of this because, if Maher truly feels all religions are bad he doesn't treat them all equally. Eastern religions are not mentions. Maher doesn't speak to any Buddhist for example. I would have preferred if Maher was an equal opportunity offender. Read the reviews for this film. The majority of the reviews only focus on what Maher does concerning the Catholic faith.
And I think I know why. Maher can say whatever he wants about Catholics but he knows Catholics are pretty much harmless. We are not threatening to him. He knows he can be obnoxious with some and not much will come out of it. Catholics may not have approved of this movie and many may not have seen it but did you hear of any violent backlash against it? Did Catholics burn down movie theatres where this was playing? Were there any assassination attempts against Maher? Imagine what would have happened if Maher spent the majority of the film attacking Muslims? Remember how mad Muslims were when Pope Benedict said there was violence in the Koran? They burnt down churches. Or how upset they became over a cartoon. People died in that incident too.
Remember what happened when "The Passion of the Christ" came out and the strong push made on the part of Jews who insisted the film would promote anti-Semitism? Did you hear about any Catholic protest about "Religulous"?
That's what I mean when I say Maher knows he can push Catholics around. We aren't as confrontational as other religions.
The film was directed by Larry Charles. He worked as a writer on "Seinfeld" and has directed a few episodes of "Curb Your Enthusiam" as well as the mock documentary "Borat". Charles can be a funny guy. So can Maher. You'd think the two of them working on something together would be funny. But religion is a tough target. And neither one of these guys pull any punches. That hurts the film. Because they way they attack religion doesn't seem playful. These men have an agenda. They want to make a point. I think, on some level, they were hoping to incite violence just so they can say, "look how violent religion makes people"! It would have provided more fuel for Maher. But that never happens.
So I spent a lot of time being critical of this movie yet I'm giving it three stars. Why? I'm for anything that can make people think. I believe in open discussions. I believe people should defend their positions not just on religion but all subjects. It is important to ask questions. Question don't have to lead to confrontation but instead can be a learning experience. When it comes to religion people should have discussions and talk about their faith. What makes them believe. It could be a rich subject for a documentary. Unfortunately this isn't that movie. Maher may raise some interesting points but doesn't he have to be so obnoxious about it? The way you deliver a message is just as important as the message itself. Maher should ask questions but with a civil tongue.
"Religulous" is good for a debate and the discussion which might take place afterwards. The only problem is how many people of faith will see this movie in order to have that discussion?
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