The Singles Ward

I recommend this movie because it's lighthearted and very funny. We should all take a moment to laugh at ourselves once in a while. Don't take it too seriously or you just might find a reason to be offended. And don't expect an intricate storyline or very deep characters, though I am of the opinion that these characters are very real. I know people like this. I loved it. Soundtrack... catchy but on the borderline of causing offense in people who believe the hymns of the church are sacred and shouldn't be altered.

This is certainly not a great film, but it's a lot of fun if you are LDS, like myself, have been in a singles ward, and get the many LDS culture jokes. Also, playing Spot-the-LDS-Celebrity adds to the film's appeal. But Singles Ward will just confuse and perhaps irritate non-members. So far only Richard Dutcher (who has a funny cameo in this film) has managed to go beyond the Mormon genre and appeal to non-members and audiences outside Utah/Idaho/Nevada,... with God's Army and especially Brigham City.

As thus far the only non Mormon to comment on this movie (we saw it on cinemanow.com), this was delightful, humorous, moving, placing it above the B movie level (perhaps), though it's weakness I feel is that it bowed too much to conformity, as in reality one doubts whether Jonathan would have returned so fully to the fold.

It also gives an insight to those of us on the other side of the world into a fascinating and vital culture. We noticed the reference to Franklin Planners, which through Utah guru Steven Covey has influenced many throughout the planet even after they shift to palm pilots and beyond.

I'm not a seventh generation Mormon (at least I don't think we go back that far, not on Grandpa's side anyway), I've not lived in Utah my whole life (first military then work, we skipped and jumped from state to state) but I still got all the jokes and found it very amusing. I liked it.

Yes, it's a little clicky with all the in-jokes, and yes, it may not appeal to non-members. But I go to movies all the time (and I've seen my fair share of movies) where in-jokes of a certain religion, local and society type are made that I just don't get. Does that mean the movie shouldn't have been made or was a waist of time to the rest of the world and myself? Not at all. I can still enjoy it and maybe someone can explain the joke to me so I can laugh as well.

Seems like a great opportunity to share our personal experiences and promote understanding in a society where you look at someone wrong and next week a building is blown up as a result.

And frankly, I'm just glad that I can expand my movie collection to include movies that don't have to be cartoons to be free from gratuitous sex, violence, nudity, profanity . . . the list goes on and on.

And as far as being offended goes, I'm probably the easiest offended person I know. My family certainly thinks so. I know so. And I'm trying to change that by learning to laugh at myself.

Someone once said, "A person who can learn to laugh at oneself will never cease to be amused." Better to laugh yourself into tears than let sorrow and emotional injuries force us into it.

And in my attempt to correct what I see as a shortcoming in myself I'm constantly reminding myself that if I'm offended, maybe I should be. Was what was done an attack on me (intentional or otherwise) or was it another persons way of expressing their own feelings about something?

Long story short, I loved the movie. Just because we don't understand it doesn't mean we can learn to and then like it. And if I ever decide I don't like it anymore, well, I don't have to watch it, do I?

Thank you.

*steps down off soap-box*

Before I write this review out, let me start by saying, yes, I'm a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I served a two year mission in Santiago, Chile. I used to have season tickets to BYU football. I go to church every single Sunday.

You should also know that I never attended BYU, I don't listen to "Christian Rock" (except Stryper) and I am probably the only person in the state of Utah that hasn't seen "God's Army" or other "Mormon-based" movies.

When my sister-in-law told me to go see "Singles Ward", I blew it off because I really had no desire to watch a movie that would be just a lot of inside Mormon jokes. She persisted, even offered to watch the kids and pay for the movie, so my wife & I went to the movie. I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised.

Yes, most of the jokes are too inside for someone who does not attend our church, but I think even non-Mormon/non-Utahns will get a kick out of this movie. I mean, comedy is comedy. Even though I'm not Catholic, the song "The Vatican Rag" by Tom Lehrer is funny.

To be totally honest, the soundtrack was actually the coolest part of the movie. Finally, church songs the way they should have been written.

Like I said, I'm not a big fan of "Mormon" movies, but I really enjoyed this movie. It was funny, it was touching, and when you left you felt like your money (or your sister-in-law's money) wasn't wasted.