The Jesus Guy (2007/Cinevole Studios/MVD Visual DVD)
Picture:
C Sound: C Extras: C Main Program: C+
He's been
seen on various shows, 20/20, Times,
and The Wall Street Journal, he has long hair, a beard, a white robe, and he
looks like Jesus, The Jesus Guy. Penniless and shoeless he has walked barefoot
through 47 states and several countries sharing his belief and words from the
Bible with anyone who is willing to listen to him. Some would call him crazy or 'a kook' and
others would call him a blessing, but who is he? He has forsaken his past, he lives as
Jesus and his disciples did, his personal journey has caught the eyes and
ears of many...
A man who looks like Jesus, lives like Jesus and has giving up all worldly
material goods and the only thing he owns is the robe on his back and a bible
in his hand. He walks from place to
place only accepting when others offer him shelter or food, he talks and shares
his faith. Some are surprised by
this man, some laugh, some accept him, while others want him out of
town as soon as possible. His devotion
puts politicians, officers of the law, and various religious figures to shame. His appearance and mission has caught the
attention of the common people. This
film is a documentary of some of the people he's met and their responses.
There are very few people with the fortitude to live a life of poverty,
including monks, saints, people like Gandhi or Mother Teresa. Life is hard enough, but we can only imagine
what life would be like if we were to suddenly give up everything and to
live a simple honest life in service to others without reward or guarantee of
any return or even acceptance. In a
world where men makes rules and money reigns like a god, it is not surprising
any person who is not governed by the rules of men or influenced by money makes
those who do, nervous. While he says he
is not Jesus, his appearance, his life style, has nevertheless has made the
common people question and wonder, is he testing himself or is he testing
others? Perhaps that is what any true
religion or religious person's real purpose is... to make one reflect on one's
own soul. Extras include commentary with
James Joseph ("The Jesus Guy"), Q&A with the director with Jesus Guy, and trailers.
- Ricky Chiang