By the Grace of God

A very interesting portrait of a man who has delusions of grandeur. The acting is very natural and the trajectory of the main character keeps you interested and culminates in a hilarious and disturbing denouement.

The documentary style of the film lends it a unique atmosphere of apparent familiarity, self-consciousness and alienation, which provokes the viewer to consider their own assumptions and perceptions. One of the most striking aspects of the film is the extent to which it combines elements that are very common to so-called 'reality' documentary with elements that are heightened and even hyperbolic.

The performance of the lead actor is engaging and believable despite the eccentricity demanded by the part. This also allows the viewer to enjoy the comic moments of the movie without sensing that the film is mocking its subject. The most amusing scenarios arise from the clash between the delusions that are considered acceptable in revering iconic figures, and those which cross a certain line that we assume is clear, but in fact is not. Overall an engrossing piece.