Rent Four Lions (2009)
3.5 of 5 from 959 ratings
1h 37min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
Chris Morris' "Four Lions" is a funny, thrilling comedy that illuminates modern jihadism through the prism of farce. It understands jihadists as human beings. And it understands human beings as innately ridiculous. What "This Is Spinal Tap" did for heavy metal and "Dr Strangelove" the Cold War, "Four Lions" does for the modern face of terrorism. In a British city, four men have a secret plan. Omar (Riz Ahmed) is disillusioned about the treatment of muslims around the world and is determined to become a soldier. This is the most exciting idea Waj (Kayvan Novak) has ever heard. Better still it's a no brainer because Omar does his thinking for him. Opposed to Omar and everyone else on earth is the white islamic convert Barry (Nigel Lindsay). He'd realize he joined the cell to channel his nihilism - If he had half the self knowledge of a duck. Faisal (Adeel Akhtar) is the odd man out. He can make a bomb – but he can't blow himself up just now coz his sick dad has "started eating newspaper". Instead he's training crows to fly bombs through windows. This is what Omar has to deal with. They must strike a decisive blow on their own turf but can any of them strike a match without punching himself in the face? - Actors:
- Will Adamsdale, Riz Ahmed, Adeel Akhtar, Arsher Ali, Nigel Lindsay, Kayvan Novak, Julia Davis, Craig Parkinson, Preeya Kalidas, Wasim Zakir, Mohammad Aqil, Karl Seth, Waleed Elgadi, Alex MacQueen, Shameem Ahmad, Jonathan Maitland, Marcus Garvey, Darren Boyd, Kevin Eldon, Adil Mohammed Javed
- Directors:
- Christopher Morris
- Writers:
- Christopher Morris, Sam Bain
- Others:
- Chris Morris
- Studio:
- Optimum
- Genres:
- Comedy
- Collections:
- 2010, 2011, CinemaParadiso.co.uk Through Time
- Awards:
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- 30/08/2010
- Run Time:
- 97 minutes
- Languages:
- English
- DVD Regions:
- Region 2
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Widescreen 1.85:1
- Colour:
- Colour
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Reviews (6) of Four Lions
Best British film of 2010 - Four Lions review by PV
If you watch one film this year, watch this one.
Unlike the vast majority of trashy and crude, unfunny 'comedies' that spew out of the Hollywood teen-machine, (or the dull unfunny stuff that the subsidised British film industry usually produces), this film is FUNNY! it's really REALLY funny in its intelligent satire.
But probably, it'll only appeal to intelligent audience of course, so it's not a big hit really. Also, dumb Americans will be baffled by it (well, there are no explosions or crude visual gags involving bodily fluids...)
But, it is not simply cariacature - it has a dark, serious and timely theme. It also has guts: it has the courage to address the problem of Islamic extremism in the UK, a subject the BBC for example is too scaredy cat cowardly, weak, politically correct and desperate never to offend anyone religious/ethnic to ever address.
A WONDERFUL film!!!
10 out of 15 members found this review helpful.
hilarious - if not offended easily! - Four Lions review by CP Customer
I found this film to be one of the funniest films I had seen in a long time. Having a typical british sense of humour helps, as from the start, these 4 misfits gag their way through the film.
If you are easily offended, particularly if you are of Muslim background, you may not agree with this. I am an Asian and am pretty thick-skinned about political correctness. Take it with the intention it was made; a self-deprecating look at extremism and its connetations.
There is a pretty pathetic attempt at pulling the heartstrings at the end, however it is token. One for the boys methinks
Great film.
2 out of 3 members found this review helpful.
Not sure whether to laugh or cry - Four Lions review by CP Customer
This film is near the knuckle in terms of taste - what do you expect from Chris Morris? It's a laugh out loud comic film but towards the end it is far from funny. Not everyone's cup of tea I expect but i enjoyed it much more than I thought I would
2 out of 2 members found this review helpful.