The new documentary by Bill Maher hasn't quite made the impact I was expecting it would, or the controversy I thought it would either. The film came out a few weeks ago and maybe with the Presidential election taking up all the media's time it is being overlooked.
The film defintitley has a point of view, one that it takes no time expressing. Maher's attack on religion is both hilarious and devious. Anyone who knows the comedian/political pundits humor will not be suprised with the verocity in which he attacks not only Christianity (although it is his prime target) but also Judaisism, Islam, and Scientology even gets a mention.
Part of what suprised me about the film is that they even got acsess to go to some of the locales they visited. Sure, Bill was kicked out of the Vatican and only got to stand outside a Mormon church in Utah for about a minute before the camera crew were shut down, but he stil got that far.
When Bill goes to visit the Holy Land Experience in Orlando, it is what I can only describe as Jesus Land. They have an actor who plays Jesus, who daily performs the last days. Maher's conversation with "Jesus" is lighthearted and comical untill, a PR person finally freaks out her actor is talking to heathen Maher. Funny that Maher and crew were there for so long before a PR person got wind of it.
Now, I'm sure there was some editing being done here, but you can't create soundbites out of nothing. Senator Pryor, of Arkansas, set himself up while after talking about his Christian faith and listening to Maher question how a smart, rationale person can believe in such nonsense and still be Senator, Pryor responds:"Well, you don't have to pass an IQ test to be Senator." Really?
Maher and director Larry Charles are masterminds and interjecting funny clips from old films and for Maher's ability to flow the interview and prod while also seemingly playing along with the interviewee. My favorite example of this is when talking to reformed gay minister, all the while making quips about his attractiveness and subtly flirting while Brokeback Mountain's theme song plays.
Maher is smarmy and arrogant sure, but he is sharp, lets his counterparts make fools of themselves, and keeps us laughing along at them.
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