Jesus Revolution

Get thee behind me!

At first glance, Jesus Revolution is an inspiring, heartwarming watch, but it gives a seamlessly joyful look at a movement with a harmful past, in a way that feels like a slap in the face in the year of our Lord 2023.

Although there are very frank discussions about the nature of faith, it doesn't feel as preachy or heavy-handed as a lot of these films do, which to me personally makes them off-putting.

Unfortunately, despite the interesting history, the film itself is a dry, scattered slog, neutered of all the thorny, contradictory details of the real story.

A gently told story preaching to the converts, assuming that evangelical Christianity is unassailably the answer without considering this particular form of worship may not be the answer for all.

Nothing in this evangelical film about a short-lived religious movement taking root in late Sixties Southern California... is open to chance, much less to any interpretation other than an unequivocal One.

These are fleshed out, imperfect characters. Not the paragons of virtue we sometimes see in this genre.

This is the kind of film that needs to get to a broader audience and Erwin has structured this film to be welcoming.

Like all those missing carpenter years from the original text, this true story also leaves out a number of relevant interesting details to soften the hypocrisy of its players.

I might recommend the movie for devout viewers with a strong connection to Christianity, but for those without religious ties, Jesus Revolution won’t convert you.