Confessions of a Teenage Jesus Jerk

As I watched it I thought this had to be written by someone who experienced growing up as a Jehovah Witness as the authenticity and the struggles were so accurately portrayed. I thoroughly enjoyed this film and felt the character development was tremendous - the main actor in particular was extraordinary.

This is a really intriguing story about a teenager trying to figure it out. Trying to figure out his sexuality as what he knows so deeply goes against his religion. These types of stories are eye-opening, especially if you've never lived anything like this. This film is real, and we need more real films.

I used to live in Belgium, in a big city, where Jehovah's Witnesses were constantly harassing people trying to get you on their train of ridiculous beliefs. I really enjoyed talking to them, just to let them see how dumb they sounded, but I have to admit it's like talking to a wall, a bunch of brainwashed retards from the Middle Ages. I talked with them for hours, mainly just to amuse myself, and to answer their questions with scientific facts, and sometimes I saw the younger ones that were not completely brainwashed yet that there might be a logical answer to their questions. The elder of their groups are just lost forever, no reasoning with those mentally challenged ones. Now I live in Spain, very remote, and never have anybody knocking on my door anymore. Jehovah's Witnesses are now replaced by very catholic people, they basically believe the same nonsense but don't harass you about it. To me it doesn't matter what you believe, whether you're Muslim, Catholic, Mormon, Jehovah's Witness, or whatever other of thousands religions, as long as you keep your disillusions for yourself and don't harm anybody, be my guest, but I'm entitled to believe you're all a bunch of idiots, that's my belief. That said this movie is a good representation of the Jehovah's Witnesses. I can say that as I know a couple of friends that used to be in this sect, before they finally saw the light and left their congregations to live a normal life, and finally truly enjoy life like everybody should. Confessions Of A Teenage Jesus Jerk is more a coming of age movie, about children questioning everything and experiencing their sexuality. To me all religions are crazy, but some are just a bit crazier than others, Jehovah's Witness is one of them. The movie is well made, has a comedy touch to it if you're a non-believer, but I can see believers being offended by it, but then again they are so gullable and dumb I wonder if they would really get the irony.

I'm not a fan of Jehovah Witness after my wife was harrassed on the door step and had to call the police to get rid of them. I am also not particularly religious but I still enjoyed this film. Although this obviously has a great deal to do with the religion, at its heart it really is just a coming of age film.

The film follows Gabe and his friends as they try and be teenagers while following the strict religion that punishes them with not being allowed to interact with other Jehovah Witnesses. Of course being teenagers they break all the rules.

This is not a religious film. There is sex shown and mentioned but nothing explicit. Although there is a comical but explicit integration of a new adult recruit about accidental anal sex with his wife. I wouldn't watch it with your nan.

Overall I enjoyed this film. There are funny and sad parts. The film showed the harsh realities of being a Jehovah Witness but at the same time did not preach that people who choose this religion are bad or stupid people. The film has moments with older Jehovah Witnesses about why they joined the religion. Although it doesn't make it clear if these were genuine or actors.

The whole Jehovah Witness thing may put people off but they are missing out on a decent film. The film is basically a coming of age film just with the twist of being set with the turmoil of a religion that frowns upon all the urges and things you want to do as a teenager.

I decided to check out this new movie because it sounded like the type of indie coming-of-age movie that I tend to like, well that and I was curious about Eric Stoltz's directorial debut, and Confessions of a Teenage Jesus Jerk did not disappoint. The film is a really interesting story about a young man who is having to deal head on with sexuality as he is getting older, yet balance that with the fact that he is a Jehovah's Witness. Now I wasn't that familiar with what being a Jehovah's Witness entails, but it became clear that this created a unique yet still relatable situation for the lead character and many of us watching who have had to deal with perhaps different, but similarly conservative upbringings. One of the early scenes is an incredibly awkward encounter where the guy doesn't even know what to do with bare boobs in front of him.

If you're interested in a well made indie coming-of-age film that deals with the complexities of maturing within a conservative religion, then definitely check out Confessions of a Teenage Jesus Jerk! Highly recommend.