Review of "Jesus Revolution"

From "Film Threat" : "Review of 'Jesus Revolution'"

As a million thoughts swirled through my head, the loudest one was shouting that I had to review directors Jon Erwin and Brent McCorkle’s feature film, Jesus Revolution. The screenplay by Erwin and Jon Gunnis is based on the book by Pastor Greg Laurie. I became an Evangelical Christian in the late 70s and lived in Southern California at the tail end of the Jesus Movement era this drama depicts, so I’m very familiar with the main players. For all intent and purpose, the film is the origin story of one of the largest Christian churches in Southern California, Calvary Chapel.

Kelsey Grammer plays Calvary’s longtime pastor Chuck Smith (who passed away in 2013). In Orange County, California, Chuck humbly leads a small flock in a dwindling church. After a fight, his daughter, Janette (Ally Ioannides), storms off in a rage and runs into a hippie named Lonnie Frisbee (Jonathan Roumie). Lonnie delivers a message about Jesus Christ that she had never heard before, especially from her father. Lonnie’s message was simply that Jesus loved the sinner, and no matter how much you think you ruined your life (particularly through drugs), there is hope in Jesus Christ.

“Chuck decides to give this hippie a chance by allowing him to preach at his church.”

Chuck decides to give this hippie a chance by allowing him to preach at his church. Lonnie brought an unorthodox, casual, heartfelt message to the congregation and a full folk band, Lovesong, to bring modern worship music to replace the hymns of old. Let’s just say that Lonnie doesn’t impress the old guard, who threatened to leave the church penniless because… how much do hippies make exactly?

Jesus Revolution is also the story of Greg Laurie (Joel Courtney), a straight-laced teen on his way to the military academy at his parents’ behest. Before entering, he meets Cathe (Anna Grace Barlow), who would change Greg’s life with her hippie lifestyle and ample supply of drugs. After the near-death of their close friend, Greg and Cathe give Jesus a chance after attending one of Chuck and Lonnie’s services.

I have mixed emotions about the film, all personal in nature. Suffice it to say, it brought me back to a time in history, including my own, when the spirit of God was moving through the young folk of Southern California, and Chuck Smith was one of the figureheads. So there’s a true spirit and message of love and redemption here that I miss and haven’t felt in a long time. And that’s what I hope you take away. When life has beaten you down, and you have nothing left, there is hope in Jesus Christ.

When I compare Jesus Revolution to other faith-based films, I appreciate that there’s only one miracle in the film: the miracle of a changed life. There are no supernatural healings (the third act addresses this) and a trust that God will provide for the church’s and the congregation’s needs. I suppose you could ask today, what changed? I’ll say this. It wasn’t God who changed. Okay, sermonizing over.

Erwin and McCorkel dramatically document the beginnings of one of the greatest Christian revivals in the last century. The filmmakers highlight the looming conflict between Chuck and Loonie, who had an almost unnatural relationship with God with a distinct vision of what the church should do, warts all. The way it’s presented kept me invested.

“…one of my favorite faith-based Christian movies…”

Grammer does justice to Chuck Smith, the stodgy old pastor who puts his faith and reputation in a young upstart to revive his church. Jonathan Roumie, who played Jesus in The Chosen franchise, nails down the complexity of Lonnie. Joel Courtney and Anna Grace Barlow are downright adorable as Greg and Cathe. They believably show what happens to lost people when they find Christ as their savior and then put their faith in Him and others to make a difference in the world.

Jesus Revolution is one of my favorite faith-based Christian movies, of which I’ve seen more than my fair share. I associate three things with faith-based films: bad acting, an outrageous, overly positive message, and a shoe-horned sermon. Thankfully, this film avoids all three elements. Most importantly, it feels authentic to my personal experience with Christianity. The film is all these things without being preachy.

Elements of the Gospel, faith, and forgiveness are sprinkled throughout Jesus Revolution. But there is no straightforward message of Salvation or alter call at the end. It’s simply the story of the beginning of pastors Chuck Smith and Greg Laurie and their ministries of Calvary Chapel and Harvest Christian Fellowship. It’s also a story of changed lives, which to me, is the true Christian message. Believe me, old-school Bible-belt Christians will hate this film because it doesn’t condemn sinners at all.