From "Spectrum News 1" : "'Jesus Revolution' hopes to inspire a new wave of love and acceptance"

LOS ANGELES — In 1971, Time Magazine published an issue with a groovy Jesus over a psychedelic backdrop with the phrase, “The Jesus Revolution.”

Fifty-two years later, the film with the same name tells the story of a young hippie’s quest in the 1970s for belonging and purpose.

The film follows Greg Laurie and Lonnie Frisbee, who, together with Pastor Chuck Smith, open the doors to Smith’s church to an unexpected revival of radical and newfound love.  

The movement, captured on film and based out of Southern California, led to the growth of the Calvary Chapel Church.

The film stars Joel Courtney, Jonathan Roumie, Kelsey Grammer, DeVon Franklin and Anna Grace Barlow.

The co-directors, Jon Erwin and Brent McCorkle, and co-screenwriter Kevin Downes joined Spectrum News along with the cast to talk about the film and what they hope audiences take away. Because praise music plays an important part in the film, the cast and crew share with us what their favorite hymns or praise songs are. 

"Jesus Revolution" opens in theaters on Feb. 24, 2023.

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.

From "Christian Post" : "'Jesus Revolution' red carpet: Greg Laurie, cast share how film will reach 'lost' generation in need of hope"

Courtney, who plays a young Greg Laurie in the film, shared how his own spiritual journey was impacted as he brought the pastor’s story to life. Laurie grew up with an alcoholic mother and an absent father, and struggled to find hope and meaning in life. In the film, it’s a near-death experience that finally causes him to open his heart and mind to the truth of the Gospel. 

“I had such a fun time filming this movie in that I really took in the grace that is shown to all in Christ,” Courtney said. “Learning about Greg and taking on his past and the hardship that he really went through and then the excitement to understand that grace was extended to him was incredible. Your life doesn’t just become easy once you become a Christian, but there is a foundational strength and power, God’s power, that we can lean on to get through the tough times in life.”

Courtney said he’s hopeful there will be another revival in his lifetime, adding: “Not only do I think that we need it, but Lord willing, I believe it will happen.”

“My hope for this film is that people will go see it and have conversations afterward,” he said. “I think art strives to create a conversation. I hope people appreciate it for the story and the art that that it is, and then talk about it, because I think really good conversations can come from it.”

To young people who might be struggling to find meaning and purpose today, Courtney offered a word of encouragement: “There is a love that lifts that burden off your shoulders … God gives you strength. If you put your faith in Him, there is hope. If you’re struggling with you’re identity, look to the Bible for strength.”

Anna Grace Barlow, who plays a young Cathe, said that getting to know the real-life Cathe Laurie and witnessing her faith firsthand also strengthened her own faith. She expressed hope that viewers, too, will be inspired to find hope and purpose outside themselves. 

“The reminder that there's something bigger than me and it's guiding me and it loves me and it's keeping me safe — that has taken me through hard times I've had since filming,” she said. “My hope for this movie is that so many people see it and they're so uplifted and they love the music and they love the clothes and they take home that feeling; a renewed reassurance that everything is taken care of and it's going to be OK.”

“Jesus Revolution” is scripted by Erwin and Jon Gunn. Producers are Kevin Downes, Jon Erwin, Andrew Erwin, Daryl Lefever, Joshua Walsh and Jerilyn Esquibel. Lionsgate opens it Friday only in theaters.

---

LOS ANGELES — The filmmakers, cast and real-life people behind “Jesus Revolution” descended on the Chinese Theater last Wednesday to celebrate the film's release and reflect on the story's timeliness — especially for young people today. 

Hitting theaters on Friday, “Jesus Revolution” stars Kelsey Grammer (“Frasier”), Jonathan Roumie (“The Chosen”), Joel Courtney (“The Kissing Booth”) and Anna Grace Barlow. It’s directed by Jon Erwin (“American Underdog,” “I Can Only Imagine”) and Brent McCorkle.

Based on a true story, the film follows a young Greg Laurie as he searches for purpose and meaning in all the wrong places. After meeting Lonnie Frisbee, a winsome hippie street preacher, he embraces the Gospel, and alongside Pastor Chuck Smith, helps launch a revival that leads to what TIME magazine later called the "Jesus Revolution."

Laurie, who today pastors Harvest Christian Fellowship, told The Christian Post that the film will provide hope to today’s lost and searching generation —  not unlike the climate he grew up in. He shared how the film was delayed for several years, which at the time was discouraging. 

“And now, as I look back on the schedule and where we're at in this moment in American history, I think this is the exact right moment for this film to be coming out,” he said. “So now I look back and I see that God had His hand on it all along. It’s a true story; it’s a relevant story. I think we're representative of a generation of young people back then that's very similar to a younger generation, searching for answers now. … This generation needs hope, just like our generation needed it.”

Heavily featured in the film is the love story between Laurie and his now-wife, Cathe. They met as rebellious teenagers, casting aside all rules in a bid to find freedom. After embracing the Gospel, both of their lives were radically changed. Today, the couple has been married for 50 years. 

Cathe Laurie told CP that as a young woman, she was looking in “all the wrong places to find meaning and purpose for living and something beyond myself” — until God stepped in. Many of the internal struggles she faced, she said, she sees in young women today. 

“I feel like today, young people are lost. They're looking at social media, they're looking at their friends and looking in all the wrong places like I did,” she said. “And what they're really searching for is a truth to stand on, and I know that the Bible is alive, and Jesus wants relationships with anyone who is willing to ask Him into their lives. I believe that today, people want to experience that.”

“They’ve taken God out of everything; out of classrooms, our government, it seems like everything is pushing down the reality of Jesus Christ,” she added. “And yet, the hunger and thirst for spiritual truth, a deeper truth, is in every human heart.”

Don’t believe the critics.

Rotten Tomatoes viewers give “Jesus Revolution” a 99%

https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/jesus_revolution

From "UInterview" : "VIDEO EXCLUSIVE: Joel Courtney & Anna Grace Barlow On Kelsey Grammer, Their Christian Beliefs In ‘Jesus Revolution’"

Jesus Revolution is the retelling of Pastor Greg Laurie‘s time in California during the 70s’ Jesus Movement. Joel Courtney plays Greg Laurie, Kelsey Grammer plays Chuck Smith and Anna Grace Barlow plays Kathy Laurie.

In an exclusive interview with uInterview, Courtney and Barlow reveal what it was like working with Grammer.

“I think every moment is a moment that you remember working with Kelsey,” Courtney began. “He is a legend like there are no two ways about it. He is so talented, he has been working so consistently, I mean, and just like a mind-boggling amount of time at such a high caliber of excellence that, I mean, working with him, it was kind of like unbelievable. It was unreal and like every day like going in just knowing like that was probably going to be some of my best work because he was on the other side of that scene with me was, I mean, just encouraging, um terrifying, and like amazing all wrapped up into one.”

Barlow went on to discuss what her scene with Grammer baptizing her character was like.

“I mean it was incredible and that scene specifically is probably the biggest moment I have with Kelsey in the movie,” she said. “I don’t really have a lot of scenes with him, but Kathy Laurie the real Kathy Laurie was there that day and she told me everything that was going through her head when she while she was being baptized and that was incredible to have that kind of subtext. So I remember having all those thoughts in my head fresh because she told them to me on the beach and then seeing Kelsey and the water was so cold and I literally felt like I was in this. Like sometimes they’re like, ‘oh we’re like doing the scene right now’ no, like it was we were totally, just completely in it. It was incredible.”

Jesus Revolution will be available in theaters on February 24.

From "Patheos" : "‘I Was in Tears in the Theater’: ‘Jesus Revolution’ Stars Joel Courtney, Anna Grace Barlow Talk Impact of Finished Project"

While the new film “Jesus Revolution” focuses on the growing Jesus Movement of the Seventies, it also features a heartwarming love story between two searchers turned believers, Greg and Cathe Laurie, portrayed by Joel Courtney (“The Kissing Booth”) and Anna Grace Barlow (“Supernatural”). The two characters bring a youthful, firsthand view to the effect that the spiritual renewal had on the masses and on their own lives.

To find his way as the young Laurie, Courtney studied the pastor and evangelist’s work and even drew from his own spiritual experience.

“I watched a lot of his sermons,” says Joel Courtney. “I wanted to see him embody the pulpit, watch how he connects with people. I am a Christian as well, and so I feel like I had a very good understanding of where he came from in his lost days.”

In this exclusive interview, Courtney and Barlow talk about how the film affected them, what drew them to be involved, and what they took away from the experience.

What was it like when you saw the finished film for the first time at the premiere?

Joel Courtney: I haven’t seen a cut since like August, and that’s pretty much raw film. There was no color, no sound, there was definitely no scoring to it. I don’t think we’d even done ADR. So, (at the premiere), I really got to properly experience it. And it’s kind of like a first-time screening for me personally, and just had a profound effect on me. It kind of rocked my world a little bit. I was just speechless.

What were your thoughts when the project was presented?

Anna Grace Barlow:  I just loved the script. It’s like one of my favorite things I’d ever read before. And I really, really, really, really wanted to do it. I kept bugging everybody I knew about if they knew if I could do it yet. I’m really glad I got to do it.

Joel, you talked about what the movie how it impacted you. And I just watched a clip yesterday of Kelsey Grammer where he tears up talking about it. Did it have that same effect on you?

Joel Courtney: Absolutely. Also, part of it for me is like how much hard work goes into the film. I’ve heard from so many people who have seen the film, just as a viewer, they’re blown away. They’re so happy. And it really touches them, and it moves them. But I think from my perspective, our perspective, the long hours, really it almost like a greater return. We did long days, and just finally see the film turn out. (I’m) so happy with it. And I was in tears in the theater, and I was like fighting it and fighting it. I just was so thrilled by the film and I and I cannot wait for everyone to see it.

Anna, you’ve been on a lot of film sets. What’s something that you take away from this film?

Anna Grace Barlowe: Well, I walked away with a shirt that I stole, but I did have permission. It’s a really cute little tunic one, I just I walked away feeling very, very proud of the performance. I was proud of the work because of the amazing actors I got to work with. They pulled (the performance) out of me. Also, (I remember) wanting to be on your best behavior because Kelsey Grammer is in the movie. I’ll never forget it.

 “Jesus Revolution,” starring Joel Courtney, Jonathan Roumie, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Anna Grace Barlow, DeVon Franklin and Kelsey Grammer and directed by Jon Erwin and Brent McCorkle, releases February 22 through Lionsgate Studios. Click here for more information or to find a theater.