Jesus Revolution

Good movie!

Good movie!

Good movie!

Having grown up when the church was just starting to put chairs on the patio, I expected something completely different. I thought the movie was going to be more about Chuck Smith and the amazing things that happened to and grew out of Calvary Costa Mesa. Instead, at it's core, it's a love story (and back story) about Greg and Cathe Laurie. There's a lot I never knew, even though Greg has been very open about his life. It was interesting and well done. I would have liked for it to follow the next few years, and to have seen more of Calvary and Harvest. I know some reviewers felt that it was too long, but I was wanting more. The acting is excellent overall and it's well cast. Kelsey Grammer, of course, shines, but I felt the star performance was from Anna Grace Barlow as Cathe. She's completely believable. There are funny parts in the movie, a few that felt a little forced, but overall humorous. Some artistic license, too (the tent was much larger, we stood, and we jockeyed for position not too far from the heaters, and not too close!) I get that it was about the Hippie movement, but there were a lot of non-Hippies there, too. The soundtrack is wonderful and really well chosen for the time period. Cinematography is beautiful; there's a sort of Kodachrome feel to some of the scenes that give a great mood. This is one we'll buy.

source: Jesus Revolution

source: Jesus Revolution

source: Jesus Revolution

Welcome back, Kelsey Grammer! Jesus Revolution is a film worth seeing more than once. The gorgeous visuals were unexpected but prove the talent of cinematographer Akis Konstantakopoulos. He definitely took this film to a higher level than many faith-based movies. Yes, the visuals were great, but Kelsey Grammer blew my socks off! I don't know if it is just that I haven't seen him in a while, but this might be my favorite role for him so far. He brought warmth, uncertainty, openness, and humor to his portrayal of Chuck Smith. His scenes with Ally Ioannides are some of my favorites, perhaps because I love to see positive father/daughter interactions on film. I can't end this without mentioning the beautiful portrayal of Lonnie Frisbee by Jonathan Roumie. He had me in tears more than once. He played a complex man who was both powerful and broken, and he did it with vulnerability and love.

In a movie that is supposed to be about JESUS (as in Jesus Revolution), it was sad to only hear the name of Jesus only 3-maybe 4 times. It felt like a documentary with a HUGE push for Greg Laurie. At the end i was wondering if he paid for the movie (just my thoughts). There was SO many good worship songs that came out during that time period and they chose to use only secular music on this whole movie. It portrayed to be Christian film but felt like a "sinner" put it all together and said what could be put in. Loved Jonathan Roumie (Chosen) and Kelsey Grammer--great actors. This movie felt VOID of emotion. Getting baptised and saying the prayer of salvation is NOT emotionless. This movie was a let down in my book.

I was pleasantly surprised by this film; it was a Faith-based Christian film that didn't feel like it was trying to get me to drink the Kool-Aid (and I say this as a devout Christian myself). And although the Christian Faith is central to the film's plot, you absolutely do not need to be a Christian to enjoy it. The movie centers more on how we all are imperfect - broken - and it's up to us to believe in Jesus or not. Great quote from the film: "Don't be so arrogant that you think God can't work through your mistakes." That, in a nutshell, is the core meaning of this movie; it's not so much about who Jesus is, but rather, who people are (or can be) with Jesus.