Joshua

Sans four letter words and violence, this movie is enjoyable family entertainment. Its message is not only "Christian" in nature, but also reflects back to those times in the first half of the twentieth century when we were able to walk the streets in safety, never lock our doors, and actually know our next door neighbor and the entire neighborhood for that matter. While it is predictable, the movie still holds one's interest from beginning to end. Don't look for the technical flubs or the adaptation of Joseph Girzone's book, and don't scoff at the ecumenicism, because the movie stands on its own. It is only based on the book and was scripted well. Just enjoy the sense of community and love. Tony Goldwyn is commendable in the role of Joshua and Academy Award Winner F Murray Abraham is notable as the skeptical and fear driven parish priest. The characters forming the community of Auburn display those neighborly times spoken of earlier in this review. Academy Award Nominee Giancarlo Giannini as the Pope is warm and genuine even in his short appearance on the screen. So, get the kids, mom and dad and grandma and grandpa (and the neighbors) into the living room and enjoy this movie together.

The film "Joshua" was a pure delight.

It was such a refreshing change from the junk that is on the screen today. To see a movie with no swearing or sex was a refreshing change.

I loved the movie as did my husband. It made me cry for joy.

There was a beautiful message to this movie of hope and love.

The first time I had seen it I was at first a bit perplexed as to who Joshua really was. It didn't take long for me to figure it out, and when I did I cried with absolute joy.

What a treasure this movie is and one that I recommend everyone to see.

Joanne Lewis

It's not about what church you go to, it's not about doing good or

doing bad, it's not about who likes you or how 'important' you are.

It's all about love. We love others because God first loved us.

That's the message this movie portrays as Joshua comes in this

completely hypothetical portrayal of Christ coming to modern,

small town America. He reminds the townspeople in plain, simple

ways what it means to truly care for people. It's not trying to be a

prophetic second coming film, only a fictional story designed to

prove a point.

Maybe the film's a little idealistic, maybe it's a little corny in a

couple places. Who cares? I felt better after watching this movie

than I have after any movie in a while. It's a nice change from the

normal film of today's market which glorifies hatred and revenge.

8 of 10

Now here is an honest-to-goodness Christian movie, based on the best-selling book in the mid '90s by Fr. Joseph Girzone. This parable, I would think, would be a lot more effective evangelizing film than The Passion Of The Christ, only because this is so much more pleasant to watch. But it is no watered-down version, either. While Mel Gibson's film shows Christ's love in the incredibly- painful sacrifice he made, this movie shows the nature of His love in ordinary, everyday life with ordinary people.

This is a not a Second Coming story, rather just what Jesus might be like if he re-appeared and mingled with human beings today, in this case in a small southern town in the United States.

Here, "Joshua" (Tony Goldwyn) is pictured helping a diverse group of townspeople, ministering to them individually and helping them to come together as a community. He isn't arrogant or pushy about it; he just leads by example. A sub-plot involves his influence with two local priests: an older skeptical pharisee-like cleric (F. Murray Abraham) and his younger and personable assistant (Kurt Fuller).

It's nicely done, with good production values and some solid acting. It's not too heavy-handed for the unbelievers while at the same inspiring to believers. As one of the latter, this movie just made me feel good all the way through. This kind of movie isn't just unusual.....it's downright rare.

I thoroughly enjoyed this film,It carries a message of love and hope.

It's the story of a simple carpenter and his unconditional love for all people no matter their race, colour or creed.

It was well acted by good actors and when F Murray Abraham said "Oh my Lord", a shiver went up my spine as it did when Joshua said "Peter, do you not know me?" to the Pope.

A nice wholesome film for christians and non-christians alike.