With “We Are Four Lions,” Chris Morris hasn’t created a masterpiece. It’s far from being a dive into the surrealism of David Lynch or into the human psychology crafted by Fincher. However, he tackles the subject of terrorism from a relatively fresh angle: humor.
Chris Morris’s film portrays four aspiring terrorists who are as absurd as they are dim-witted, trying their luck in international jihad. The comedy is a bit crude, much like those American comedies that shaped our childhood (such as American Pie, etc.). But, just as with Sacha Baron Cohen’s “The Dictator,” satire can sometimes be the best way to shed light on the invisible inconsistencies of society.
The film features Riz Ahmed among the group of terrorists, whom we also find in “Rogue One” and “Nightcall.” And even though the direction is far from poetic, the film carries a certain “Charlie Hebdo” essence that is quite appreciated. A dose of sharp-edged humor on a topic that we generally don’t find amusing.
