by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
What are the best topics that are ripe for a good satire? Politics are the most obvious choice, and there are plenty of things to have fun with, but today they might be a little too charged (though I am sure you could make quite the biting satire). You can satirize the world of the arts as well. Nobody can truly bitingly criticize a group better than that group itself. But what topic might be even more nuclear hot than taking on politics? Religion. Someone’s religious beliefs are near and dear to their hearts, and for most, deeply ingrained in their life. But there are many issues in organized religion that need to be exposed. Recent projects like The Righteous Gemstones have started the movement, but now we have Honk For Jesus. Save Your Soul.
With executive producers Jordan Peele and Daniel Kaluuya, how does writer-director Adamma Ebo approach such a topic? This is an inspired story taking place after a big scandal with the audience slowly realizing the truth. There is also a clever device used to tell this tale: a documentary crew uncomfortably in the front row to a fractured marriage. Ebo weaves in some strong intrigue to the story, while also offering up plenty of quality character work. There is plenty of subtlety as well. The film does an excellent job of delivering plants that soon hit in impactful ways when the time comes. There are a few scenes centered around our lead pastor, Lee-Curtis Childs (Sterling K. Brown) with young men that have plenty of tension, and they help the audience piece together his past acts without beating you over the head with it.
How about the thematic ideas that Ebo injects into this satire? Many ideas are tackled in the screenplay, which does make it difficult to deliver on all of them. There might be a few ideas that are left half-baked, but when it counts, Honk For Jesus is absolutely biting. The commentary mostly centers around a few select ideas, including the corruption of megachurches and the fallacy of Christian unions. One scene captures the uncompromising perspective that a marriage must continue at all costs. The wife of our pastor, Trinitie (Regina Hall), seeks solace with her mother, who tears her apart for thinking about divorce, even though she has plenty of reasons to give up on the marriage. The ego of the pastor is put into the grinder as the film captures the hypocritical stances of a “holy” man who wants nothing but attention and adulation. All of these ideas are tackled in a hilarious way with sharp dialogue and absolutely committed performances.
Does Ebo keep the audience engaged and moved along with the laughs? This might be a crazy satire of megachurches and Christianity, but there is a broken and poignant faltering marriage at the core. Lee-Curtis and Trinitie are trying to hold together their broken marriage after the horrible acts of the husband. They put on a good face for the documentary crew and the other characters in the film, but the audience can see right through the façade. Trinitie is a tough role, and Hall gives one of the best performances of the year. She must look loving and caring on the surface, but tragically broken and infuriated underneath. We see her subtle reactions to the camera that sell this so well. One scene shows them getting intimate, and the discomfort is so impactful. This scene is a striking metaphor for their marriage. Trinitie begs for what is expected for them while Lee-Curtis pines for the pleasures that he truly desires. The façade for the sake of the church and their public image is hollow and sad. The climax of the film finds an impressive emotional eruption that you will not soon forget.
Why are Hall and Brown the shining lights of the film? The dynamic and layered performance that Hall must deliver is emotional and powerful. She is hilarious and passionate. But when push comes to shove, she lashes out in one of those scenes you expect to see in an Oscar video package. The nuance that Hall shows draws the audience in, and we cannot help but root for her. Concurrently, Brown is electrifying. He is big and bold at every moment. His preaching is commanding, yet shameful. His reactions are intense, but immature. His intense physicality makes for a few scenes that are impressively uncomfortable and affecting.
Did Peele and Kaluuya find the right horse to bet on in this fall movie race? Ebo is a real star, along with his two impressive leads. The energy and laughs are overflowing, along with the screen presence offered up by Hall and Brown. There is plenty said in Honk For Jesus and you will spend plenty of time afterwards taking it in and reflecting. This is one fantastic way to start off the fall movie season.
Score 9/10
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