The Holy Roller

A struggling pastor (Angus Benfield) in rural New Zealand moves to the big city and sets up a church that meets at a bar. When it becomes successful serious complications arise.

"The Holy Roller" (2010) is a quirky & amusing drama with faith-based roots. Benfield is basically the New Zealand version of Kevin James. Meanwhile his character's possible romantic interest played by Victoria Abbott is cute and lovable. This is a fun, likable flick about noble intentions, failure, success, mistakes, penitence, forgiveness, love and renewed resolve.

It only cost a $1 million to make, but it's quite proficient for such a low budget. The only flaw is that kinks needed to be worked out in the storytelling (editing, whatever) to make it less muddled and more compelling. Still, it's entertaining enough and has a certain pizazz.

The film runs 1 hour, 28 minutes, and was shot in Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand.

GRADE: B-/C+

At last, a really decent movie. This is the best movie I have seen for ages. It is a very entertaining, thoughtful, funny, well acted movie with a great story, backed by a superb soundtrack, created by a few dedicated people on a low budget but with with a love and passion for their project. That this movie was created in the heart of Christchurch before the devastating earthquakes, leaves it as a record of part of central city life before everything changed. The movie takes you on a journey where at times you don't know where you are going, and in the end you won't be disappointed. It is the sort of movie that you will want to see again, and to get a copy of the soundtrack. Well done to the crew and cast of "The Holy Roller".

Pastor Luke has always known that he possessed the God-given power to inspire people, but he's never had more than a few, paltry parishioners in his small town on which to bestow his glorious gift. When he moves to the city, and achieves great success as a televangelist, he thinks he's finally fulfilling God's plan. It's only when he almost loses his new ministry, and the woman he loves, that he finds the courage to become the man God truly called him to be. Starring Angus Benfield, Victoria Abbott and Jeremy Brennan, THE HOLY ROLLER shows us that the only thing more important than having the faith to begin … is the courage to begin again. This is an appealing movie for a variety of reasons. It is contemporary, has a unique point of view, and is humorous and also is family friendly. The movie features the theme that all things are possible and to give God time to restore things when life is not pleasant. Also featured are some wonderful songs such as "Amazing Grace" and "What a friend we have in Jesus." This energetic film features a unique storyline, solid acting, and some laughs along the way. I LOVE THIS MOVIE!