Chris Morris is a phenomenally brilliant British comedian responsible for some of the most viciously funny programs I’ve ever seen (Check out “Brass Eye” or “The Day Today,” if you don’t believe me).
But now he’s coming out with a new film, called Four Lions, a comedy about suicide bombers.
Check out the trailer, here.
Now, I haven’t seen the flick, but I did read a rare interview with Morris in the London Times about the comedy, and a few things bugged me.
As far as I can tell, his movie is based on the premise that nearly all terrorists are buffoons – and from there he makes an attempt to “humanize” these “Keystone Kops.” He’s probably right that most terrorists are useless tools – but he overlooks the fact that buffoons need only succeed once to kill dozens, hundreds, or thousands.
It comes down to this: Is a homicidal mentally challenged person any less dangerous than one with a Ph.D.?
I suppose it depends where you’re standing when the blast goes off.
Odder still, Morris seems concerned less with offending victims of terror, than Islamic extremists. In the interview, he makes it clear that there’s no intent to “mock” Islam. But this worry directly undermines his whole premise. If these bozo bombers are so incompetent, why would you worry about offense? I’m thinking that Theo Van Gogh, the Dutch director murdered by an offended Islamic extremist, must lurk in Morris’s brain.
But Morris has to remember: Van Gogh took actual risks. He condemned extremism. I haven’t seen Four Lions, but judging from the interview, it doesn’t sound like Morris did the same.
So he’s safe. Which is the last thing I’d think Chris Morris would want to be.
And if you disagree with me, you’re probably a racist homophobe who eats unicorns.
Tonight we’ve got the Scorpions, Jim Norton, S.E. Cupp, and Carrie Keagan!
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