On the One

The title of this movie and basic outline -- of two brothers dramatically affected in different ways by painful events in their childhood -- dangles the promise of an interesting story idea, but then goes on to destroy that promise offensively.

When the two brothers grow up, one becomes an uptight pastor at Harlem church, and the other becomes a rapper whose most prominent promo item is a drawing of his face with a satanic feel. The rapper gets in trouble (predictably) as a result of his behavior, which leads to the brothers confronting their relationship with each other, amidst a background of cardboard church people.

The synthesis coming from this clash of opposing minds is not redeeming at all. The movie seems to say that good and evil aren't really good and evil, that the pastor is in essence just as bad as the rapper, and the best approach is to average out the good and evil without examination. To what do they average, I wonder?

It is extremely clear that no one of any influence on this production is Christian, or understands in any way what it means to be a Christian. As a result, the movie displays some superficial trappings of religion but no deeper reality. Sadly, there are many real instances of problems in the church where the members and leadership act in ungodly ways (I know - I've been victimized by them), but this movie turns that into a farce. Further, there are no roles demonstrating someone with a true, life-changing belief.

If you are in any way a believing and acting (i.e. "real") Christian, I strongly urge you to avoid "Preaching to the Choir". If you are not, be advised that what you see in this movie represents only the secular world relabeled as Christianity, so the writers/producers don't have to take responsibility for their own attitudes.

The story line was perhaps not Oscar quality but certainly could have held its own sans the profanity and references to one female character's anatomy.

I admit that I didn't do a thorough enough job of researching this movie before holding a fund raising event for the FAMILY MINISTRY of my church.

I was appalled (as were many of the people who attended our event) at the filthy language and lewd sexual references included in this movie.

I almost literally held my breath during certain scenes as I waited for the "naughty language" lines to end.

There is a supposition that a movie with a title including the words "Preach" and "Choir" would be suitable for anyone to watch without being offended by its content.

I've learned a very valuable lesson about making such suppositions and will be much more discriminate in the future.

I'm saddened that veteran actors and artists lent their talent to a work which displays such a blatant lack of respect of the world of worship.

The writers and producers of Preaching to the Choir could benefit from some of the old fashioned teaching and respect for church and church folk that most of us were at the very least, exposed to "back in my day." (Yes, I am a baby boomer)

If the intent was to draw a younger crowd - and to send a message of redemption, I believe it may have been lost on some who never heard or saw an apology, or even an acknowledgment of the inappropriate language. Saving one weak and nearly missed line during a scene in the church's sanctuary.

You don't have to be 21 to be able to appreciate rappers and hip hop music as long as it story line.

The message may have been lost on some by having to try to filter the totally unnecessary use of profanity.

"I haven't had sex in ________ years," says the elderly woman in church. "See me after (choir) rehearsal," says the young black male.

These kinds of bits in the film, while probably seen by those who produced and sold it as "just comedy" or "edgy" (that's the latest industry buzz word), really reveal how far it is possible to miss a targeted audience - even offend them. Having a casual conversation in a church about screwing an old woman? Is there any story context that would mitigate the impropriety here? Or does "Christian" mean anything anymore?

The latest in the secular-meets-saintly hybrid widget in the urban genre, this movie strikes me as an attempt to make a project about gospel music, without having to respect the Gospel itself, and to sell shock value and sizzle - at the expense of the serious-minded urban Christian community.

Just saw this at the 9th annual American Black Film Festival in Miami, and really enjoyed this -- good acting all round, funny, family-friendly, and beautiful cinematography as well. Harlem's historic and contemporary cultural vibrancy is nicely worked into the scenes (in one scene, Zulu courts a young woman who works at the Studio Museum of Harlem, where they talk in front of Kara Walker's silhouette paintings).

It's an accessible mainstream-type comedy with a lead actor who might be the next Denzel Washington (he's certainly handsome enough, as is the actor who plays his brother).

There's a theme of redemption at work here. Two brothers, one a hip-hop star called Zulu and the other the Baptist preacher at a Harlem church, have had conflict in their relationship for years, but when Zulu's life is endangered as the result of a contract dispute with a record company owner, they have to work through their problems and help each other. The minister brother's church is losing membership and has become stagnant, but Zulu's presence attracts curious teens and Zulu revitalizes the gospel choir. Each brother finds a way to help the other. Lots of entertaining secondary characters, light violence, some sexually suggestive humor (akin to what you might see on many broadcast TV shows).

If you are preaching to the choir you're trying to convince people who already agree with you. Or maybe the title is a mere play on words. If not, then it is unclear who is doing the convincing. Could what is portrayed in this movie be taken as representative of what goes on in churches? One is almost overwhelmed by the level of vice among 'the faithful'. I come away with a distinct feeling of impurity after most of the church scenes. The normal association between virtue and religion is weak if not absent. Although the message of reconciliation does come through eventually, the plot seems to 'wander through' too much negative elements to produce that positive nugget. One wonders if this is not just another church-bashing flick. This movie seems to be making a mockery of religion.