In God We Tru$t

While I didn't quite know how to take the film the first time I saw it, after viewing it three different times, and letting a lot of time pass, my ripening sense of humor absolutely adored the hilarious jabs at religion - primarily Christianity - in all its contemporary marketing in the U.S. The bumbling monk from the monastery who just isn't in touch with the real world but must learn how to deal with it; the itinerant preacher in a modified flivver with a steeple and amplified speaker driving around "enticing" money from the crowds he can gather on the street; and the glowing puffery of the TV evangelist - who has more evil behind him than the good he portrays to his public. GREAT HUMOR. Well acted by Marty Feldman, Peter Boyle and Andy Kaufman. Contains a very interesting twist.

Marty Feldman plays a meek monk who emerges from the monastery he's lived in all his life to get the money needed to save it. He travels to the big city and meets a number of characters who are obsessed with religion, money, or both. This movie manages to show devotion, delusion and hypocrisy with clarity and, yes, grace, while providing plenty of laughs. Blessed are the meek, for they get off easy in this one; the greedy and vicious are not so lucky. Andy Kaufman's performance as Armageddon T. Thunderbird is brilliant, chilling, and not to be missed.

Marty Feldman got another chance to write and direct a movie, and this one is a little less funny. Still, it provides a humorous view of televangelists and other religious organizations in their neverending pursuit of money over spirituality. Andy Kaufman, as televangelist Armageddon T. Thunderbird, is simply brilliant (which is not always the word used to describe him) and Feldman, Lasser, and Boyle also provide vivid characterizations. I enjoyed this film, even though Feldman gave Richard Pryor very little to do and the film runs out of steam near the end. Nevertheless, there are some big laughs, and any fans of Feldman should enjoy. Definitely worthwhile renting if you can find it. Not quite on the level as the equally irreverent "Life of Brian," but is quite good, too. My rating: 7/10 stars.

As so often, the IMDb voter average is nothing to go by, in terms of seeking quality. However, in the case of this very funny, even somewhat clever, comedy the 4.6 average is a joke. The reason for it is obvious: many people who have never seen the movie but heard about it and what it's about decided to hate it without giving it a chance.

IGWT is quite an offensive movie to believers, and anyone who is strongly Christian (or of any other religious persuasion) should not only avoid this movie, but pray to his God that He burn all copies of it.

Although, the movie mocks the commercialization of religion far more than Christianity itself.

As an atheist, I loved this movie and recommend it to all agnostics, other atheists, Christianity-haters, but also Christians who can take a joke. Provided, of course, that you don't mind raunchy, irreverent humour.

Feldman is quite weird playing an ultra-naive do-gooder monk who has never been outside his monastery. The premise alone makes one curious to see the film. The supporting cast is very good, too (Boyle, Kaufman, etc.).

Obviously not as good as the almost flawless mother of all religion-bashing films, "Life Of Brian", but with plenty of good and wicked gags at the expense of religion.

There is criticism that IGWT was just a cashing-in reaction to Monty Python's Jesus movie, but who cares if it was? There are plenty of movies that support religion, so another (good) comedy that goes in the opposite direction really can't hurt.

The late Marty Feldman's most notable directorial effort. The movie features an exceptional portrayal by Andy Kauffman of the Reverend Armageddon...who sports his blond pompador with great authority.

Most notable thing about the movie is the VERY clever writing. Much of the plot action is over the top slapstick, but sometimes the movie gets very sly and smart...especially when Andy is in the spotlight.

Fine funny performances from Peter Boyle and Louise Lasser.

"The meek shall inherit the earth" "Yeah, but only when the strong are through with it."