Religulous Review

Religion is not an easy thing to talk about. It's even less easy to laugh about. Comedian Bill Maher's essay film, Religulous, manages to do both.

The movie, helmed by Curb Your Enthusiasm and Borat director Larry Charles, follows Maher around the world as he speaks to members of various faiths. He speaks to an actor playing Jesus at a Christian theme park in Orlando, Florida. He speaks to an inventor in Israel who spends his days inventing ways to still do things like make phone calls on the Sabbath. He speaks to a Muslim rapper who argues he should be allowed to be a voice of dissent within his religion, but may not forgive that dissent in others.

Maher, a staunch agnostic, has a simple thesis: How Do We Know? He's not out to disprove religion; he's just out to explore how people can believe something so strongly without fully even understanding it. He points out contradictions in religious texts, or asks questions that his subjects should probably know the answers. That they don't know the answers -- and they often don't -- only makes Maher's point for him.

Religulous is at its best when Maher is talking with people willing to talk to him, not at him. An early scene at a truck stop chapel finds Maher talking with a kind and sincere group of Christians who take the comic by surprise when he jokes that they pray for him and they do ("Thank you for being Christ-like and not just Christian," he tells them as he leaves). It's a real discussion, and though the truckers aren't able to explain their beliefs to Maher's liking, at least they're willing to have the conversation.

Too often the movie undercuts itself by adding stock footage or subtitles to score a cheap laugh. At those moments, the movie slides into mockery of religion, and that's not what it's supposed to be -- to me, anyway. But it's still Maher's show, and he's going to have the last word.

Eventually, the movie begins to repeat itself. Person after person is subjected to Maher's questioning, usually with the same results. The movie continues to make its point well after its already been made -- just when it ought to be finding something new to say. Maher finally delivers a scathing monologue over the movie's closing moments, suggesting that religion and certainty could bring an end to the world (through terrorism or nuclear annihilation). It's a powerful speech, but the movie hasn't quite earned the moment; it should have been built to, not tagged on.

Still, Religulous is an entertaining and often fascinating movie. The discussion about religion isn't an easy one to have, and Maher doesn't always play fair, but it's a discussion worth having. It's actually a pretty brave film.

I know there are those who won't want to see Religulous, and who won't want to hear what Maher has to say. These are people who are already certain, and don't want to have their faith questioned. I know that, but I don't understand it. After all, if someone's faith is that strong, there's no way that it should be shaken by a little movie and a comedian.

Religulous is Rated R for some strong language and sexuality.

Theatrical Release Date - October 3, 2008