Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul. poster

Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.

2022-09-02
N/A
5 (IMDB)
ComedyDrama
en
Released
Languages:
  • English

Description:

In the aftermath of a huge scandal, Trinitie Childs, the first lady of a prominent Southern Baptist Mega Church, attempts to help her pastor-husband, Lee-Curtis Childs, rebuild their congregation.

Reviews:

Manuel São Bento (3/10)

FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://www.msbreviews.com/movie-reviews/other-films-watched-spoiler-free-review-sundance/#jesus

"Honk For Jesus. Save Your Soul carries tremendous potential as a religious satire, but besides Regina Hall and Sterling K. Brown's dedicated performances, it's hard to find other enjoyable components.

Except for two admittedly hilarious sequences, the vast majority of jokes and references about religion and the church don't land at all. The bland dramatic storyline takes itself way too seriously, negatively affecting the balance between the different types of narrative.

The idea behind the distinct aspect ratios makes sense on paper, but its repetitive, constantly switching execution becomes more frustrating than anything else.

Maybe viewers with a deeper connection to religion and how the American "church system" works will find it more entertaining..."

Rating: D+

2022-02-21
Louisa Moore - Screen Zealots (6/10)

By: Louisa Moore / www.ScreenZealots.com

It is easy to be charmed by “Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul,” a very funny satirical comedy about the disgraced pastor of a megachurch (Sterling K. Brown) and his loyal and proud first lady (Regina Hall). Filmed in a faux documentary style, writer-director Adamma Ebo makes her feature film debut with an adaptation of her short film of the same name. Normally when shorts are stretched to full length, the project runs out of gas. That’s not the case here. This is an extremely well done, enjoyable movie.

In its heyday, the Wander to Greater Paths church boasted a massive congregation of devoted faithful. Tens of thousands would show up to worship every week, until Pastor Lee-Curtis Childs (Brown) engaged in some inappropriate behavior that forced the church to close. His wife Trinitie (Hall) remains by her husband’s side, holding things together in the aftermath that has turned the community against them. The couple has agreed to allow a documentary filmmaker to follow them around as they stage a rebranding and plan a large-scale comeback on Easter Sunday.

Ebo’s script is insightful and funny, and her characters aren’t your typical money-hungry shysters for Jesus. Lee-Curtis and Trinitie are examples of believers who have a true devotion and sincerely want to bring the word of their God to the world. They believe their ministry can do great things by saving souls while putting on a show. These aren’t inherently awful people, and that’s what makes the film work so well.

You wouldn’t expect such a multilayered performance in a comedy, but Hall delivers. She is funny, warm, and charming, with a suppressed sadness. She conveys a quiet suffering with just a glance, choking back the disappointment and loneliness she feels in her marriage, especially as Trinitie struggles to keep up appearances for the sake of the church. But she can also cut down a person with a simple “bless your heart” and the wag of a finger. Hall’s performance is strong, smart and sassy, and she runs with it, taking what could have been a superficial role and giving the character depth. It’s excellent work from her, and she finds a natural chemistry with Brown. The pair have an impressive comedic timing that lends a goofy sincerity to the lead characters.

Ebo pushes things a little too far towards the end when it feels like she runs out of things to say, but the majority of the film is meaty and engaging. While parts of “Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul” feel familiar, Ebo has managed to create something that feels fresh and different. This is one of the more enjoyable movies I’ve screened at Sundance this year.

2023-04-23

Where to Watch:

Stream

fuboTV
Peacock Premium
Starz Apple TV Channel
NBC
USA Network
Peacock Premium Plus

Rent

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home

Buy

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home

Similar Movies:

Hurricane F.Y.T.

Hurricane F.Y.T. 8

Drama, Comedy

2024-05-17

Winter Light

Winter Light 7.9

Drama

1963-02-11

Birthday Cake

Birthday Cake 7.6

Comedy, Family

2013-06-03

Guy Manley: Super Spy

Guy Manley: Super Spy 7.5

Action, Comedy

2024-09-13

Adam's Apples

Adam's Apples 7.438

Drama, Comedy

2005-04-15

Breakfast on Pluto

Breakfast on Pluto 7.205

Drama, Comedy

2005-11-16

Tyler Perry's Divorce in the Black

Tyler Perry's Divorce in the Black 7.167

Drama, Thriller

2024-07-11

Wyrm

Wyrm 7

Comedy, Romance

2019-09-21

All in Favor

All in Favor 7

Drama

2025-06-12

Handsome Serge

Handsome Serge 6.933

Drama

1958-06-06

Er kanns nicht lassen

Er kanns nicht lassen 6.7

Comedy, Crime

1962-10-19

All Saints

All Saints 6.213

Drama, Comedy

2017-08-25

Anna and the Apocalypse

Anna and the Apocalypse 6.04

Horror, Comedy

2018-11-30

Dare

Dare 5.664

Drama, Romance

2009-11-13

Sirens

Sirens 5.6

Comedy, Drama

1994-03-04

On the Line

On the Line 4.81

Comedy, Family

2001-10-26

Grumpy Old Santa

Grumpy Old Santa 4.8

Comedy, Drama

2023-09-12

Der Pastor mit der Jazztrompete

Der Pastor mit der Jazztrompete 4.5

Music, Drama

1962-11-30

Christmas at Maxwell's

Christmas at Maxwell's 4.3

Drama

2006-12-01

The Pulpit - Prelude

The Pulpit - Prelude 0

Drama, Thriller

2022-07-01