Are
you down with G-O-D?
I've struggled with my rating on this film for
one simple reason. I LOVED this film....I
laughed, I cried and I came away from the film
genuinely impressed with the script, the
performances and the direction. So, why the
struggle? When I look at this film with my
critical eye I cannot deny that there are some
basic problems within the film. My heart is
telling me this is an A- film, yet when I
approach it critically I have to acknowledge
that it just misses the "A" range due to a few
minor flaws.
First, however, the basics. My fear is that my
recommendation of this film will end up much
like my recommendation of "Pumpkin," another
dark, somewhat twisted yet insightful comedy
that rubbed many people the wrong way and
totally turned off many others. I absolutely
loved that film, and it rests comfortably in my
Top 10. This film, while not at that level, also
features wonderful performances, a balanced and
insightful script penned by Brian Dannelly (who
also directed) and Michael Urban. This film has
garnered much of its attention due to the fact
that REM's lead singer, Michael Stipe, is one of
the film's producers. This fact alone caused me
to consider the film a must-see, and I was not
disappointed.
I have read of fundamentalist Christians
becoming upset over their portrayal in this
film. That blows me away, as I think this film
features some of the most honest, balanced and
authentic characters ever to walk through a
Christian high school. When the film was over,
it occurred to me that each character had
strengths, weaknesses, moments of great holiness
and moments of great failure. None of them
proved to be "perfect" Christians, and all of
them benefited by mercy and grace.
First, in the lead role, we have Jena Malone.
Malone has been choosing extraordinary roles
since her early appearance in "Bastard Out of
Carolina." I will confess that I somewhat
understand some of the comments I've heard that
she is almost too passive at times. Malone's
character, a young Christian girl who plays in a
Christian music group and is considered one of
the "in" crowd...suddenly finds her path forever
changed when she feels God is calling her to
have sex with her boyfriend, who has just
announced that he is gay. Much to her dismay,
God does not do his part by ensuring her
virginity is restored AND she ends up pregnant.
Malone plays her interactions well, and her
facial expressions are phenomenal. It did feel,
at times, like she was almost too calm about the
entire situation that would forever change her
life and call her to addressing her entire
belief system. Generally, though, I loved her
performance and her chemistry with the rest of
the cast allows the performance to shine.
Mandy Moore gets to cut loose a bit here as
Hillary Faye, the lead singer of the Christian
music group and a stereotypical "holier than
thou" Christian girl. Moore brings out Faye's
convictions with remarkable sincerity...in what
could have simply been a portrayal of a haughty
Christian, Moore brings us a young lady who is
simply trying to live her faith, misguided at
times...there's a humanity that allows us to
care about her even as she is clearly headed
down the wrong path.
Macaulay Culkin offers a performance I was
prepared to hate. I'm always troubled by
Hollywood's resistance to using physically
challenged actors in films. I'm so tired of
able-bodied actors playing guys/girls in
wheelchairs. While the issue still bothers me,
Culkin does a wonderful job here as Hillary's
brother, Roland, who ends up going out with
Cassandra, the "Jewish" girl (wonderfully played
by Eva Amurri, Susan Sarandon's daughter). The
scenes between Culkin and Amurri brought me to
tears with their simplicity, sweetness and
tenderness. Truly powerful and wonderful.
Other strong performances are offered by Heather
Matarazzo, who was brilliant in Todd Solondz'
"Welcome to the Dollhouse," Martin Donovan as
Pastor Skip, Mary Catherine Parker as Malone's
mother and perhaps the most balanced character,
Patrick, played wonderfully and sensitively by
Patrick Fugit (most remembered for "Almost
Famous").
The film, which spends the first half skewering
Christianity, does an about face in many ways
and becomes a lesson in tolerance and diversity.
All these characters, except Patrick, appear to
have fatal flaws...yet their honesty, openness,
surrender and desire to live a life of faith are
evident throughout the film. These are not bad
people...these are good people who make some bad
choices along the way.
I must also mention the music, which includes a
unique but beautiful version of "God Only Knows"
by Michael Stipe and Mandy Moore.
This is not a perfect film. In some ways, the
ending is a bit of a let down...in some ways, I
wanted the "edge" to stay throughout the film.
Yet, for some reason, I found myself happy with
the ending. I found myself happy with all of the
characters and their resolution. Fundamentalist
Christians may very well be offended
here...There is room to be, because the humanity
of faith is portrayed very vividly and, in some
ways, objectionably. Yet, for me, the film
resonated deeply and powerfully. I grew to
deeply care about these characters because of
their humanity. These characters were brought to
life by a wonderful ensemble cast who clearly
connected with the humanity and the spirituality
of their roles. This film...it made me
laugh...it made me cry...it affirmed my
spiritual path and my life journey. I highly
recommend catching this film if it comes to your
community!
ADDENDUM: I received this DVD for my birthday
and upon a second viewing have elevated this
film to an A-. I appreciated the film more,
laughed and cried. Truly, this is one of the
best "teen" films I've seen.
©
Written by Richard Propes
TC Candler's Comment
N/A
Jacob
Hall's Comment
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