Brought to us from the same duo that made "The Cinema Snob Movie" and "Paranoia", here is a smartly written and humorously executed comedy that is a satire on the Christian based films that (for the most part) aren't particularly well written or executed. "Jesus, Bro!" plays with the tropes and themes of such films as "God's Not Dead", "Old Fashioned", "War Room", "Kirk Cameron's Saving Christmas" among many others and does it in a way that isn't hateful or mean spirited, but rather joyous in the absurdity of it all.
The story revolves around an internet figure called the Rickhead, or simply Rick as the movie goes on, who is a very vocal atheist online that spreads around ridiculous opinions about why he can't get a chicken sandwich on Sundays because his favorite restaurant closes for church on those particular days. The film starts out by giving a small glimpse of what life seems to be like for Rick; having a Christian girlfriend, Elizabeth, who speaks almost completely in on- the-nose, exposition dialog. His camaraderie with his also Christian best friend, Carlos, who is such a "black best friend" stereotype it's hilarious. For the most part, Rick is content with how...not content he is with everything. Until one night he goes out for drinks with Carlos that results in a near death experience where he meets Jesus Christ...appearing as Santa Claus...in white robes. It's a very risible scene, trust me. At that moment Rick finally becomes a believer and agrees to help "Santa Christ" gain more conversions to Christianity before string cheese turns everyone into an atheist. From there things are a laugh riot, going into over-the-top scenarios and fantastically spoofed segments on movies of this nature.
Now bare in mind that this is a parody mainly of the Christian films and not actually a spoof on Christianity itself. At no point does it ever make fun of or condescend against Christianity, or any religion for that matter. The comedy, as well as the morals of the movie, are rather lighthearted and charming. Even managing to have a much more touching and endearing message in its subtext than most mainstream Christian films released as of late. While it may be poking fun at the Christian movies and even stereotypes that can be found involved in the faith, it actually does contain a very Christian moral of basically to just be a good person to everyone no matter what you or they believe in. I found that way more inspirational than anything within even a single frame of something like "War Room" or "God's Not Dead". While those movies feel more as a cynical and manipulative attempt to shine other's beliefs (anyone who isn't of the Christian faith) in a negative light while making themselves out to be persecuted innocents at every turn, "Jesus, Bro!" feels genuinely sincere and optimistic in what it wants to say. "Jesus, Bro!" calls those movies out for not truly having what it should mean to be a Christian in focus, but rather spreading quite questionable and even immoral ideologies within their themes. In that sense this film far surpasses anything distributed by PureFlix as being more of an actual Christian movie, except with a wacky sense of humor about itself.
I enjoyed this movie quite a bit, is it perfect? No. While I liked everyone's performance on screen, we aren't talking awards here. There are one or two special effects that didn't quite work for myself, even for the cartoonish tone the film inhabits. And the climax felt slightly lacking in much impact, aside from morals that arises from it. However, that is kind of the point in a movie like this if it's going to play on the short comings of modern Christian flicks. Plus, it's a low budget film made mostly among a small group of friends. Am I really going to get into the technicalities of a movie like this not being a masterpiece? Hell no, I'm going to enjoy it for what it is because the movie is funny and is happy being what it is. I'm not gonna be the one to try taking that away from it.
I thought the writing was sharp, hysterical when it needed to be funny but also even a little heart warming in parts. The direction was just perfect for this, appearing as most other films within the genre but always competent. The acting was all around funny, everyone plays an exaggeration of a stereotype that you would typically find in something released from PureFlix productions. David Gobble as the lead, Rick, is terrific in the role with spot-on comedic timing while somehow presenting a likable presence from a character that could otherwise be irritating if played wrong. He brings a strange charisma to someone who shouldn't be likable. Gobble is a large reason why this movie works as well as it does because with the wrong performance, the movie could have easily fumbled. I think if this interests you at all then please check it out! ...especially to see my name in the ending credits...no that doesn't sway my bias at all...just a bonus thing...my bonus thing...shut up, it makes me feel important.
Oh! I almost forgot...Jesus, BRO!
