Joel Courtney

Kelsey Grammer

Jonathan Roumie

Kimberly Williams-Paisley

Anna Grace Barlow

Julia Campbell

Alexia Ioannides

Matthew Montemaro

DeVon Franklin

Mina Sundwall

Steve Hanks

Erin Schaut

Jackson Robert Scott

Nicholas Cirillo

Nic Bishop

Jolie Jenkins

Charlie Morgan Patton

Randall Newsome

Shaun Weiss

Kevin Downes

Paras Patel

Greg Laurie

Andrew Erwin

Jon Erwin

Brent McCorkle

Tony Young

Dena Sodano

Jon Gunn

Elias John Ruperto

Jerilyn Bickford

Akis Konstantakopoulos

Aimee Holmberg

Jenny Wentling

Nik Morgan

Anna Redmon

Charlotte Orlove

Ren Rohling

Grant Elder

Brett Murray

Phillip Moses

Nicole Foster

Gregory J. Barnett

Joshua Walsh

Drama

History

Jesus Revolution

Lionsgate

Kingdom Story Company

A Walsh Works Production

United States of America

English

hippie

1970s

based on true story

aftercreditsstinger

southern california

Manuel São Bento

FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://www.msbreviews.com/movie-reviews/jesus-revolution-review

"Jesus Revolution works as a dramatic retelling of one of the greatest spiritual movements in American history, but it suffers from the constant need to deliver the next great inspirational message, sounding more preachy than authentic. Excellent performances and music packed with positive energy make this viewing a serene yet formulaic experience. It's the ideal type of film for devout viewers with a strong connection to Christianity, but for those who don't hold religious ties, this won't convert you."

Rating: C

**_Biopic of Greg Laurie and the Jesus Movement of the late ’60s/early ’70s_**

A pastor in Costa Mesa (Kelsey Grammer) is concerned about the counterculture’s obsession with drugs and loose sex, but also his dying church that isn’t connecting with the youth. His daughter (Ally Ioannides) brings home a hippie “Jesus freak” (Jonathan Roumie) and he sees that he’s genuine and gifted. The team-up sparks a movement that spreads for the next several years.

"Jesus Revolution” (2023) is a well-done account of the Jesus Movement in SoCal between 1968-1971. It’s made in such a way that anyone who’s interested in that era and the social upheaval that was going on will appreciate it, similar to "Forrest Gump" except with more overt spirituality. For instance, there’s Janis Joplin, Timothy Leary and several iconic songs, e.g. “Free Ride,” “Listen to the Music” and “War.”

While I’m somewhat familiar with Greg Laurie and his ministry, I wasn’t aware that he got his start in the Jesus Movement, nor was I familiar with Chuck Smith or Lonnie Frisbee, the latter of whom “backslid” and died of AIDS at the premature age of 43 in 1993.

Grammer and Joel Courtney are effective as the main male protagonists, Chuck Smith and Greg Laurie respectively. Meanwhile the lovely Anna Grace Barlow is a winsome revelation as Cathe, Laurie’s potential girlfriend.

While not as inspiring as "War Room" (2015), it’s arguably superior to "Do You Believe?" (2015), “God’s Not Dead” (2014), "God's Not Dead 2" (2016) and "Overcomer" (2019). It’s at least on par with any of ’em.

The film runs 2 hours and, was shot in Fairhope, Alabama, which is just southeast of Mobile, with several other scenes shot on-location in the coastal Los Angeles area.

GRADE: B+/A-

Jesus Revolution (2023 Movie) Special Feature 'Fan Q&A' - Joel Courtney, Jonathan Roumie

Official Trailer

Jesus Revolution( 2023)

When you open your heart...there's room for everyone.

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A review by Manuel São Bento

Written by Manuel São Bento on Thu Feb 23 2023

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