La Révolution de Jésus

Anyone who knows me, knows I really hate most Christian films, as the scripts are horrible, the storyline horrible, the acting horrible. This however, is none of that. This was actually a great movie; objectively speaking.

Where I had a problem was that this movie didn't actually share the Gospel that actually started that revival - which I was surprised, given this is based on Greg Laurie's book. I know all about Calvary Chapel, as that was my home church for over a decade. A great, Bible expository teaching, gospel centered church. But you got none of that here. What you got, was essentially the "American Gospel." - which is, come to Jesus for your drug addiction, brokenness (broken over what? They never say).

Before someone can truly repent and be "saved", they must know what they are being saved from. That we are sinners, a target of God's wrath, condemned eternally to hell. God, knowing we can't save ourselves, died in our place and took that wrath upon Himself. We come to Him because we are broken over our sin - that's why we're broken. Sure, Jesus DOES help with drug addictions, or anything else.

But before He can do that, we need to have a relationship with Him - which we can't have without first accepting His penal atonement for our sins. Only after our sins are covered can we enter His presence and have a relationship, and find healing for everything else.

I was truly surprised this was absent from the film, and they opted for the "it worked for you, maybe it can work for me" type gospel, as if Jesus is a free trial, and not the eternal Judge and Savior of your soul. I've been to Greg Laurie's church, read his books, been to his Harvest crusades, and he always shares the true gospel - so why was it absent here?

I don't know. I just wish it was present, because so many people may watch this movie. Sure this will point people to Jesus and encourage people to seek the truth, but they won't have clear gospel presentation that can save their soul.

Like much of the Christian drama genre, Jesus Revolution suffers from lots of stilted, VERY on-the-nose dialogue that prioritises getting the message across over sounding natural.

But unlike most of the Christian drama genre, the film is shockingly well-focused, prioritising it's characters and their stories just as much as it's religious messages that do admittedly preach to the choir.

There's a lot of care put into this movie; it's shot and acted with plenty of artistic prowess, and the story is refreshing in how it is purely centred around its flawed human characters as they work on their broken lives, bad habits, and strained relationships.

The familial element of religion is what helps them find the purpose they're looking for, and it's refreshing to see a Christian film that really tries to tell a compelling story about fleshed-out characters rather than just peddle a message without a beating heart and visible soul.

Although the film is too long-burdened by repetitive scenes that don't add anything new to the story-and the dialogue is often clunky and unintentionally silly, I was impressed with how much this does right when it comes to filmmaking and storytelling. It's infinitely better than most in this subgenre.

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.

I watch a lot of Christian movies, I found this one to be the least cheesy christian movie out there. I appreciated the Humor and the message of repentance and love.

I love Calvary Chapel, I enjoyed the constant moving of the story and I never felt it was boring or preachy at parts. I appreciated the realness of the movie and I think anyone regardless of their background can see this movie and enjoy it! I liked that it showed the flaws in everyone and it was a raw movie.

I did not give it 10 stars cause there was some historical inaccuracies in the movie itself.

Overall I recommend this movie and think it is a wonderful movie!

This is a great movie; I enjoyed it very much.

Being a movie nut and all, I have to say that that the production quality was top notch. I saw no glaring continuity problems, the camera work was well done and the "designs" were fabulous (costume, scene, etc.). I also think the script was terrific. As one other reviewer noted, the scripts and acting in some "Christian" films showing at regular cinemas in recent years has been a bit rough. Not in this movie; it's all great.

I was there. In the years 1971 to about 1973, I sat in the front pew (if there were space for me) in that church in Riverside, CA (aka All Saint's Episcopal Church) within 20 feet of Greg Laurie (sometimes being amazing at the length of his beard). I had some of those tracts he designed and I listened to Love Song and many of the other popular bands of the day. I went down with a bunch of kids from the Redlands/Yucaipa of So. CA; we went to our own church services, at various churches, in the morning then we would jump in several cars (yes, one was a VW van) and drive to Riverside for the evening service at All Saint's Episcopal Church with Greg (and the bands, of course). The song book we used (illustrated by Greg), the tracts, the cassette and 8-track tapes for sale, were all Calvary Chapel and Maranatha! Branded. It was a heady time and deserves a place in American religious history.

I thought all of the acting was great. I especially loved Kelsey Grammar in the role of Chuck Smith. When, I heard he was going to play Chuck, I let out a loud YES! Of approval. He was an excellent choice. I simply thought that, yes, he could do it. He could pull off Chuck Smith.

As the movie began with a very accurate presentation of the time, I expected the movie to continue that way so I was disappointed at parts in the middle and end that seemed to take "artistic" license with some of the events, people and locations.

The movie avoided some tough stuff; which was probably the right thing to do, maybe leaving it for a future movie or book. I'll avoid specifics not to spoil things for those who have not yet seen the movie but trust me, there was some tough stuff to the movement too.

I loved this movie. It took me back. And it adds to the record and the significance of the Jesus Movement in American religious history.