Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.

Saw this back at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival.

"Honk for Jesus, Save Your Soul" is directed by Sisters Adamma Ebo and Adanne Ebo which is the story about in an aftermath of a huge scandal, Trinitie Childs, the first lady of a prominent Southern Baptist Mega Church, attempts to help her pastor-husband, Lee-Curtis Childs, rebuild their congregation. The Ebo sisters had previously made a short film also called Honk for Jesus, Save Your Soul. This movie relies on religious satire and humor about the church system involved with the black communities. All the performances were great especially Regina Hall and Sterling K. Brown sells the entire movie. The presentation of a mockumentary style fits perfectly to the tone and presentation. There are some really good camerawork throughout the entire movie but the decision to keep changing the aspect ratio gets annoying the time and time it goes on. Aspect ratio changes during the movie is alright if they serve a purpose but this movie doesn't have a purpose to keep changing it's aspect ratio.

Many of the jokes and references about religion, church, politics, and such are seemingly big misses and it didn't land well with the story as much. The story is unfortunately the most bland and basic story that a satire could choose and because of the bland narrative, it doesn't really feel like a satire but more of a bland comedy. I am not religious but I think maybe if I was religious, I probably would like the movie more. None of the characters are as engaging as I hoped for. Everyone felt like paper cuts from a basic book you find in high school that is hidden away from the public.

The Ebo Sisters definitely have talent but honestly, I prefer the short film version they did.

Rating: C+

It wasn't a bad film but I was left wanting more from it. Sterling K. Brown and Regina Hall did absolutely fantastic in this film. They carried the film tremendously and keep the film interesting throughout. But I feel like the film just didn't know what it wanted to be. On one hand it was a comedy and the other it felt like a drama. Both could have worked alone and maybe together, but it didn't with this film to me. It could've been because walking into the film I thought it was going to be like What We Do In Thr Shadows or The Office but it wasn't. Overall it was a film with fantastic acting and a great concept but to me it had trouble finding out what it wanted to be and how to tell its story.

I expected it to be funny or thought provoking. There were moments that it was. Is it about a marriage, the church, religion exploitation, sex abuse? I dont know. Not very satisfying to watch mostly.

The tone was also inconsistent for me. At times quirky, ridiculous, at times serious, but not a point that defined the film.

The documentary style was good at first, but later it became gimmicky.

The thing that saved it for me was the performance of the two lead. Regina Hall was great and Sterling K Brown gave a very convincing performance as a self centered, egotistic, but charismatic pastor. Those who go to church might recognize the type.

Nobody likes hypocrites - unless, of course, they make good fodder for laughs, as is the case in this sidesplitting new comedy from writer-director Adamma Ebo. The target here is the hypocrisy often present in the bluster-filled fundamentalist megachurches, whose elaborate Sunday services play like big-budget Broadway productions and for which their pastors ask their congregations to fork over wads of cash - all in exchange for allegedly saved souls and their leaders' ability to live lives of grossly ostentatious affluence. Invariably, though, these schemes come with a catch in which their two-faced preachers get caught in career-ruining scandals that expose just how hypocritical and corrupt they really are. Such is what happens in this mockumentary-style offering about a once-big time Atlanta pastor and his "first lady" as they attempt to rebound from a fall from grace that rings all too familiar in the evangelist community. Filmmaker Ebo's debut feature pulls no punches in the picture's critically biting humor and in its periodic forays into dramatic material, moves meant to draw attention to the innate insincerity of its protagonists (and some of its parishioners). In doing so, the film straddles a fine line between comedy and drama, presenting a carefully concocted mix that works much of the time but occasionally becomes a little too heavy-handed for its own good. Nevertheless, "Honk For Jesus. Save Your Soul." makes an impact with its fine performances by Sterling K. Brown and Regina Hall, as well as its wickedly delicious wit and ample sight gags, elements that will have viewers delightfully giggling with glee. This one might not have you on your knees, but you might easily fall over laughing.

Regina Hall and Sterling K Brown are a great duo in this film. Both are hilarious when needed and add emotional depth when needed. The documentary style of it takes some getting used to... maybe for budget reasons. There are times where I wish more happened. The story felt unfinished and there was no real character arcs in my opinion but I guess thats a real depiction of life because most preachers who find themselves in this type of predicament usually dont learn. I enjoyed what was given overall. I laughed out loud so many times. Regina is great in this. An acquired taste for some. Entertaining for others.