Holy Roller
Dove "Family-Approved"
Recommended for ages 12 and over
Video Release: 9/25/2012
Reviewer: Edwin L. Carpenter
Source: Video
Writer: Angus Benfield
Producer: Angus Benfield, Mark Freiburger, Ken Robertson
Director: Patrick Gillies
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 88 min.
MPAA Rating: Unrated
Starring: Angus Benfield, Victoria Abbot, Jeremy Brendon, Mark Hadlow
Synopsis:
A shepherd without a flock, Pastor Luke struggles to attract a single congregant to his services in his small town. Moving to the city in search of work, he stumbles across feisty musician, Kate, and her brother, Simon, a debt-ridden nightclub owner, whom Luke revives from a near fatal overdose of prescription drugs. Simon is inspired by this "miracle" revival to transform his nightclub into a church, using Luke as its preacher. With some musical assistance from Kate, the church overcomes a rocky start and soon flourishes, fulfilling Luke's dream of taking his message to television and making a real difference in the community. But, as Luke's success, and fame, grows, the local crime-bosses don't like the positive impact he is making and they decide they need to put an end to Pastor Luke's preaching by burning down the nightclub. Does Luke have the fortitude and the faith to rebuild his church? And more importantly, will he recognize that Kate is his one true love? Dove Worldview:
This is an appealing movie for a variety of reasons. It is contemporary, has a unique point of view, and is humorous and also is family friendly.
Pastor Luke has one sheep in his flock and it is a bit awkward when he says one Sunday morning, "Turn and greet the person next to you." However, he ventures away to see what else the Lord might have for him and he comes across a shrewd businessman named Simon who owes the criminal underworld some money. Simon sees in Pastor Luke the perfect foil for his plan: to come up with a growing church with a TV ministry so as to get his hands on the money he needs. In the process, Pastor Luke meets a young woman named Kate who has a terrific vocal gift and who likes Luke as much as he likes her, but one past decision she made is haunting her and she is unsure as to how to handle it.
It is nice to see a few miracles in this movie including a criminal's nearly deceased mother make a remarkable recovery after prayer. There are some mild content issues which are listed below and we are recommending the movie for ages twelve plus. The movie features the theme that all things are possible and to give God time to restore things when life is not pleasant. Also featured are some wonderful songs such as "Amazing Grace" and "What a friend we have in Jesus." This energetic film features a unique storyline, solid acting, and some laughs along the way.
Sex: Kissing between a couple; a woman becomes pregnant out of wedlock but regrets what she did and is determined to raise the child despite having thoughts of having an abortion; man speaks to a woman he believes to be a prostitute and she offers him a Bible; in one scene a prostitute is on a corner; a comment is made about a minister being a 35-year-old virgin.
Language: None
Violence: A mugger holds a knife to a minister's throat and takes his wallet; tensions and disagreements between a few of the characters; a church is set on fire with a woman inside but she survives; a mugger tries to rob a man but stops and the would-be victim gives the mugger money to help him.
Drugs: A few cigarette smoking scenes; a man crumbles a cigarette on the head of a character; a few drinking and nightclub scenes and a minister drinks at one low point in his life and tries to be a stand-up comedian but he does change; a man is having a seizure from a drug overdose but a minister prays for him and the seizure stops and he is revived; a bar crowd yells, "More to drink!"
Nudity: Cleavage.
Other: A zealous Christian says TV is evil and he also comments that rock music is evil; a joke is told which says priests like to drink a lot, reverends like to drink a little and pastors don't care to drink; a woman is heard vomiting; a man refers to down and out people as "bums"; a criminal offers a pastor a chance to be a host at a casino and he turns it down; underground criminal activity.
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