Believe Me

This movie was SO funny! I absolutely enjoyed watching it! I love the way it pokes fun at religion and makes you think about it. It was entertaining and thought provoking. For sure one of my new favorite movies. The cast is also incredible. Nick Offerman is one of my all time favorite actors and to see him in this made it that much better. And the fact that Alex Russell is in it doesn't hurt. He plays his character flawlessly and his looks aren't bad either. The cast, director and writers did a phenomenal job on this film. I highly recommend it to people of all walks of life. I don't know anyone who wouldn't find this move entertaining. GO SEE BELIEVE ME!

Believe me is about 4 frat brothers who start a fake charity so that they can make money to wipe off a college loan. If this film was supposed to be a commentary on the current state of US higher education they might have had something. Sadly the main characters are just like the self-entitled privileged jocks that are usually painted as the bad guys in 80s films where the nerds finally have their day, so straight off the bat you hate them. The whole thing kind of sounds like a light-hearted college film, right? Wrong. Before I watched it I figured it would contain all of the classic frat characters and hijinx we have come to love from college films like Animal House, and the preview made it look funny. Wrong again. Sadly the film doesn't know whether it should be funny or serious. It pivots between poorly timed jokes that don't hit their mark and moments where we are supposed to see the human side of these asshole characters -and neither works. If it had stuck to being a shameless comedy (and they cast actors with a concept of comedic timing) then this film might have worked. Instead they tried to give it a serious edge and the lack of commitment doesn't pay off. The premise is flawed to begin with and it doesn't help that the script doesn't do anything to set up how and why the audience should believe these characters have the capability to accomplish what they are doing. The thing stinks of lazy writing, amateur directing and below average acting. Don't waste your time.

One criticism I have heard of this film is that it can't seem to make up its mind. Is it for or against Evangelicals? Do the ends really justify the means? What makes you a good person? What makes you a bad person?

Pictures are painted on both sides of the religious fence of both good and evil, just like in real life. Rarely do we find a perfect Christian, or an evil nonbeliever, but rather we live in a reality where often nothing is clear. Therein lies the beauty of the film- that it is authentic. In a world that wants to paint itself black and white, this film lives in the grey and forces the viewer to decide for themselves what is noble in life.

Presenting this question in a way that treats both sides fairly, or unfairly, depending on your leanings, is quite a feat. Furthermore, the fact that the film maintains a predominantly lighthearted tone with some truly zippy humor while presenting thoughtful conversation points results in a truly intriguing and enjoyable film.

The start of the movie was hilarious with some comedy bits but it kinda didn't last more than 25 minutes , then the serious Drama rigid stuff came out.

To be fair it's a nice movie , well written, well casting , the main characters were generally funny. as a good doer myself and activist in charities (so humble, right!! :D ) the storyline sounded a bit more complicated than it usually is. but maybe that's how charities in the name of Jesus works. .. don't know.

anyway,, the movie was acceptable would recommend watching it with family on pizza night :D generally, if you're Christian then you'll be jumping up and down out of faith, but if you're something else so you'll see that 5/10 is good score.

also i gotta say "Max Adler" this guy is gonna be something i'v seen him on "Switched at Birth" before and he's got a real talent, and here he was the comic whiff that the movie needed.

This movie was very well written and directed. It doesn't tell you what to think, but leaves you thinking.

The trailer may cause you to think it is anti-Christian, but it is not. Lecrae is in it (#1 Christian Hip Hop Artist). On the other hand, some people are calling it a Christian film, but it is not (no alter call or come to Jesus moment).

Other reviews- NY Times -"a smart, sly comedy...about the power of platforms".

Indiewire -"…Will Bakke has crafted a hilariously smart religious satire".

Movieguide - "Christian satire done right".

Beliefnet- "Believe Me hits the right notes".

Be prepared to laugh out loud and have a good time.

Best to watch with a clear head as there are tons of little jokes that you might need to watch more than once to catch them all!