What Would Jesus Do?

PureFlix has made some excellent films; however, this time, they failed when making this one. First of all, the screenwriting is terribly unrealistic. The characters are not given realistic reactions/emotions to certain situations, which makes them feel unrealistic. The characters are also provided with cliches that don't help with the script, but actually just make it worse. The cliches are obvious before they even appear; they do not feel realistic to real life. The characters should be more realistically written, as should the plot. The dialogue felt a little corny, as well, with awkward one-liners like "You fools!" filling the script pages. Second of all, John Schneider is a little overrated. He didn't do as well in this film as he has done in other movies. Sometimes, the acting by the cast felt unrealistic or melodramatic. The actor who played the antagonistic character, in particular, did a TERRIBLE job at his performance and delivery of lines. The point is, apart from the inspirational message that could be learned through this film, ultimately, this film sets a bad example of filmmaking.

I caught this in the middle several years ago, in a local, obscure channel. I remember being fascinated by JS part. This is perhaps, John Schneider's greatest performance of all time. But how did he get involved in this schlock? No one can act in this! It's painful to watch. None of the female leads can (except, perhaps, the homeless girl and the evil old woman, whose home she's brought to).

Let's talk location: the newspaper editor's officed looked like a broom closet. The real estate office? Broom closet with a glass door. The church? A double broom closet with carpet and chairs. The house? Another cheap broom closet. This was filmed in Tujunga. I had the displeasure of being sorta stranded there eons ago. That town is hell on Earth, folks! Think Van Nuys on steroids.

So what is this flick? A straight-to-video VHS production they sell for a $1.99? No one can act here. JS is wasted. Imagine if they'd made this a Hollywood production! Did he give his time for free? I can't wrap my head around it! He was quite good looking here. He was always a goof lookswise back in his Dukes of Hazard and I never watched that "Starsky & Hutch do the boonies" rip off. But boy, did he have presence here. Charisma in droves. Put everyone else's acting to shame.

Everyone else was reciting lines then thinking "I hope I said that right" or "boy! I should have put more effort into that!" and so on. That's why I said: How did JS get involved in this? Everyone is such an amateur (except the 2 aforementioned ladies) it's painful to watch.

Oh and if you're a fan of JS and you're watching for this, he's barely in it. He has a few bits mid-show. One great scene and BAM! Hes gone and pretty much never returns. (Or does he?)

The start was quite shocking. I'm watching 2 actors trying to pretend they can act, they're driving around and then BAM! They just.. they just... I mean. The next scene! Then it's downhill for a while, then Schneider raises the bar each (little) time he appears. This movie is a roller coaster. Back then I gave it a 10, for his performance and the message. Ah, the message. Well, I'm no Christian. I have nothing against those people (actually, I do!) and European-Californians were perfectly well depicted in the beginning as selfish, greedy and uncaring.

That they turn and become kind, caring and helpful puts this flick into the fantasy genre right there. Oh and please do not confuse actor and part: if anyone would be that deluded to think Schneider lives this part... have you seen the crap he's been in since?? The Haves and Haves Not isn't exactly WWJD material. These Hollywood hypocrites don't live up to the standards they set for themselves. Let me backtrack: he set no standard here. He was handed a script and some cash and they bought him to inhabit this drifter character. Nothing more. In fact, he's no Christian: have you not read how he's treated wives and/or girlfriends? A few years back, he was the talk of the town for some scandal involving her (one of them) and him smugly telling people at a party "Do you know who I am?" Uh... I dunno, Legal Blonde version 2.0?

In conclusion 6 stars is very generous. Schneider gets a 10/10 that a piece of scum like him can pull off this role and make you beLIEve he's a good guy is praise-worthy. The production values are about a 4-5/10. The acting from everyone else is a "try again" and "don't quit your day job" 3/10. The movie could have been better, but there's worse. The message, sure, could be a 9/10 if it weren't composed and performed by a bunch of hypocrites.

And how do ya like 'em drifting Xtian apples?!

I only just started the movie, but they should have titled it something else and not used the character names of the 1896 book What Would Jesus Do? (by Charles Sheldon) and the 1990s phenomena with the WWJD bracelets. Please go read that book (and the Bible, too, of course)! It is a masterpiece. THE premise of the book is that the pastor IS successful, has a good family, HUGE congregation, loved by everyone, preaching good doctrine (but with no application) and so busy with 'God's work' that he doesn't have time for the drifter. This version makes him seem a worn out, barely surviving, family killed, empty church, preacher. Why is this important? Because Sheldon's book is INTENDED to shine a light on our prideful natures, thinking we are doing everything right, when we are missing the point. It may have been written in 1896, but (the book) shines an excellent light on modern, prosperity, seeker-sensitive talkers and challenges us all to look at the Word, be led by the Spirit (not our hearts), and do what Jesus would do in our daily lives. (Some of the primary answers to the question being, a removal of self-focus, emphasis on holiness, preaching the Gospel even when it's uncomfortable, etc...) This movie misses the mark by a long-shot. If they didn't use the character and location names and movie title, it might be a good story. Hopefully this review will inspire people to actually read the original book. (It's an easy read, simply written, beautiful, and Biblical.)

I was really looking forward to this movie as John Schneider was in it...expected it to be good.

Its a Christian movie for Christians...not Hollywood standard...don't expect really good acting, but story is good.

Does make you think WWJD? Could really help some Christians re-think things.

I bought the DVD online as I could not find it anywhere else, but happy that I made the effort..just.

Can think of a few that I would recommend before, like Joshua (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0271582/) and Simon Birch (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0124879/) and even Eveyln (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0298856/) and Pay It Forward...all good movies.

Then there is Luther (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0309820/) and Amazing Grace (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0454776/)

Would watch and recommend these before...some like Flywheel and Fireproof a bit weak for me...(made for Christians I think)

Well don't want to de-value movies Christians are making but some need to be ten times better...this one may be not that bad...

I've never written a movie review but after watching this movie I feel compelled to. This is a terrible movie . The only thing redeeming in this movie is the premise. The acting, story, dialog, timing and pacing of this movie is painfully embarrassing. A small child will see the enormous plot mistakes and unrealistic dialog. A child could write a better story. I will tell you one thing Jesus would not do , ask someone to watch this movie . I am a devoted Christian and this is by far the worst Christian movie I have ever watched. Please do not watch this movie. If you are a Christian or not, after this movie you won't want to be one.