‘Jesus Revolution’ Netflix Movie Review - An Incomplete Insight Into History

The purpose behind saying that Jesus Revolution seemed like an incomplete story is that people who don’t know much about the movement must adjust to what the writers and actors wanted to portray on the screen. The beginning was a bit haphazard as the makers tried to mix so many things into one.

While on one side we are shown how hippies took psychedelic drugs to feel closer to god, there is another group who gained entry into the church to show their faith in Jesus. These two opposing ideas of how hippies were operating soon united as the people started to recognize the adverse effects of drugs.

Till this point, everything was fine, but as soon as the scenes come where they are seen together praying for a failing car engine to work or praying for a dead man to survive, it goes beyond spirituality and can be considered blind devotion. Though there is a thin line between the two, the same exists between confidence and ego.

Jesus Revolution is a faith-based film and it revolves around Chuck, Lonnie, and Greg. Everyone else can be easily considered a side character as their role hasn’t been highlighted much. Though the actors did a wonderful job something was lacking due to which the audience might not feel attached to the film.

There is a point where Chuck invited the hippies to his home and the church. However, this decision wasn’t welcomed by the community members, but they soon accepted it. The scene where the people crossed sides and sat with the hippies in the church is great. Also, how Chick washed the feet of the hippies when the objection was raised about them dirtying the Church’s carpet floor makes you realize how hippies were the ones who started this whole moment.

The audience can also not forget the soul awakening baptism which is shown to happen at the Pirate’s Cave. Though I wish that a bit more of Greg’s life could have been shown, it was also equally important to see how Lonnie drifted away from the world he created.

This movie is uplifting for the Christians still, but many other facts could have been shown like more emphasis on the impact drugs had on the people feeling that it was their only way of getting close to god.

I didn’t expect much from the film initially and felt that it would be a very predictable title. The film blows your expectations and still disappoints you at the same time. It lacks the impact it had to create on the audience. There are many powerful scenes added, but the question remains if they were powerful enough.

In all, it is a fine film that people might like to watch if they’re looking for a film that is based on history and spirituality. The one-liners and the excerpts taken from the Bible are too deep to be understood by today’s audience whose sole focus is watching Netflix for entertainment.

Final Score – [6/10]
Reviewed by - Riya Singh
Follow @_riyasinghhh_ on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times