The Book of Clarence movie review

MOVIE TITLE: The Book of Clarence

This entertaining biblical story is now available in theaters.

RATING: PG-13

LENGTH: 2 hours 9 minutes

MOVIE REVIEW MOM GRADE: B+

IN A NUTSHELL:

The story is about a Black man named Clarence who is interested in learning how Jesus was able to do “tricks” in Jerusalem before He was crucified. He seeks the apostles to learn more about the Messiah and soon risks everything to carve a path so he can become the 13^th apostle.

The film was directed and written by Jeymes Samuel. His fresh voice offers a unique perspective that will force you to think.

If you’re Christian, keep an open mind and don’t be easily offended by this telling. The movie does not attempt to be an accurate demonstration of true events, but is more of an alternative history.

It’s not doing well at the box office, but I actually enjoyed this!

THINGS I LIKED:

The cast is fantastic and stars LaKeith Stanfield, who knocks it out of the park. He is joined by David Oyelowo, Omar Sy, Anna Diop, RJ Cyler, Micheal Ward, Teyana Taylor, Alfre Woodard, Nicholas Pinnock, and many more.
I recently saw Marianne Jean-Baptiste in the Aaron Eckhart movie Rumble Through the Dark, where she played a mean character named Big Momma Sweet. She was most definitely NOT sweet. It was nice to see her play a sweet mother in this movie.
We are also graced with terrific performances by James McAvoy and Benedict Cumberbatch. I adore both of them.
Great soundtrack and background music in the scenes, also by Jeymes Samuel! We even get a little dance scene, which felt out of place, but was cute.
Hookah is terrible for you but it was entertaining to watch the characters float around in the air to demonstrate they were high.
Some of the dialogue is hilarious and modern. There is spoken and visual humor throughout.
The backgrounds, landscapes, and settings look legit. I was just in Jerusalem last spring, and had to look closely to figure out if they were really there. I did some research and discovered that the filming was actually done in Matera, Italy, which is where Mel Gibson filmed his movie The Passion of the Christ. In addition, some scenes were also filmed in Louisiana and some other states in the U.S.A. Impressive!
Acts 1, 2, and 3 are identified as Book 1, 2, and 3 in the film, which is helpful and thematic.
Rob Hardy did a terrific job on the cinematography.
You’ll laugh and cry.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

All of the evil Roman soldiers are white.
The film tries to be too many things at once as a comedy, respectful treatment of Christ, romance, gospel Western, and drama, so the result is an inconsistent tone and messy script.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Some characters smoke a hookah pipe and get high. The smoke other things as well.
Some characters smack one another.
Some profanity.
We see some people being crucified on crosses with bloody wounds and sound effects.
A man gets struck by multiple arrows.

THEMES:

Belief and faith
Debt (financial and spiritual)
Freedom of conscience
Brotherhood
Tricks vs. miracles
Being a “nobody”
Greed and power

FUNNY LINES:

“This is going to require massive testicular fortitude.” – Clarence (LaKeith Stanfield)
“Clarence, in spite of your selfish ways, there’s a beautiful soul in there somewhere.” – John the Baptist
“I can’t walk on water. I can’t even swim.” – Clarence (LaKeith Stanfield)

INTERESTING LINES:

“Knowledge is stronger than belief.” – Clarence (LaKeith Stanfield)
“I’m Clarence. I’m not a man without faults. I played the cards I was dealt.” Clarence (LaKeith Stanfield)
“I am here to enlighten you.” Clarence (LaKeith Stanfield)
“You lust for power, wealth, position.” – Pontius Pilate (James McAvoy)
“Humans, God’s only mistake.” – Benjamin (Benedict Cumberbatch)
“Most of us have no idea what we’re doing. By the time we figure it out, it’s too late.” – Clarence (LaKeith Stanfield)
“I’ve been a victim of my own ignorance.” – Clarence (LaKeith Stanfield)