Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows Shop News Showtimes

I Am Michael

Released Jan 27, 2017 1h 42m Drama LGBTQ+ TRAILER for List
62% Tomatometer 37 Reviews 37% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Based on the fascinating, true-life story of Michael Glatze (James Franco), a gay activist who becomes an anti-gay Christian pastor.
Watch on Peacock Stream Now

Where to Watch

I Am Michael

I Am Michael

What to Know

Critics Consensus

I Am Michael takes a determinedly balanced approach to its complex subject, and although the results don't always add up, they're anchored by strong work from James Franco.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View All (37) Critics Reviews
Marjorie Baumgarten Austin Chronicle The performances are uniformly good and Kelly's effort to tell an unbiased story is admirable, but I Am Michael ultimately delivers more in the way of talking points than drama. Rated: 2.5/5 Feb 2, 2017 Full Review Tricia Olszewski TheWrap Franco's fantastic here. He gives a fieriness to Michael as a gay advocate, then seamlessly slides into borderline madness as he starts accepting that the "voice" he hears is God's. Jan 27, 2017 Full Review Sheila O'Malley RogerEbert.com Kelly is finding his sea-legs as a director. Rated: 3/4 Jan 27, 2017 Full Review Ben Turner The Pink Lens Whether it's attempting to stay too closely to its source material, or if nobody actually thought about writing a climax to it, the film sputters, stumbles and peters into nothingness. Rated: 3/5 Sep 2, 2021 Full Review James Clay Fresh Fiction While the film certainly isn't a masterpiece, Kelly has created a film that dares to be different. Rated: B Dec 12, 2018 Full Review Alexander Ryll Gay Essential Michael is not without his weaknesses and despite declaring that he no longer identifies with being a homosexual, it does not necessary mean that he ceases relationships with the same sex. Rated: 8 Nov 3, 2018 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (66) audience reviews
PridePosterStudios Ok this was definitely made by GB News. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 04/24/24 Full Review cinephile f It is so nice to see a film about a man with a life experience that is quite similar to myself! I absolutely loved this film. It is extremely well told and takes a middle path in how the story was told. I loved that it did not vilify the main character but simply told his story. It's an underrated masterpiece and very beautiful and tender! Recommend 100% for any audience. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review marcelo f O filme começa em um ponto incrível para se abordar, que é a liberdade de ser quem é, sem medo e sem restrição de personalidade, porém quando o personagem principal começa a se auto desconstruir devido a uma religião, o filme engata em um ponto que meus olhos não aguentavam mais. O roteiro nos faz facilmente nos esgotar de estar preso na história de um cara que revoga a ser quem é e ainda ser escroto com as pessoas que tem a coragem de serem o que são. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member I Am Michael is a tough sell and it's all the better (and worse) for it Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/19/23 Full Review jean luis r I am Michael starring James Franco, Zachary Quinto, and Emma Roberts directed by Justin Kelly. This film based on a New York times article tells the incredible story of a gay activist called Michael Glaze who later became a born again Christian, renounced his homosexuality and married a woman. This movie was always going to be controversial and the filmmakers decided to take a neutral approach by not endorsing either the religious beliefs of Michael nor condemning them. This neutral approach works and it stops the movie from being a Christian movie nor an anti-Christian one but simply a film that looks at the life of a real man who struggled with his beliefs and sexuality. James Franco beautifully portrays this man as he evolves from a openly and proud gay man to a very conservative evangelical who sees homosexuality as sin. Is not his best performance but we come to sympathize with him and see his point of view. Zachary Quinto also does a good job as he portrays Michael's boyfriend who becomes very distressed to see his lover reject everything they had embraced. The movie's biggest problem is that it can be quite dry as the drama drags on and it relies on stereotypes for both gay men and evangelical Christians. Yet is a beautiful movie that makes us confront realities about life that are hard to face. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review rohan j It will ruin your life. Life is everything. Not all people have the same experiences and whatever. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews
I Am Michael

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

The Normal Heart 94% 88% The Normal Heart Test 82% 57% Test Henry Gamble's Birthday Party 86% 58% Henry Gamble's Birthday Party Love Is Strange 93% 66% Love Is Strange Bwoy 88% 45% Bwoy TRAILER for Bwoy Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis Based on the fascinating, true-life story of Michael Glatze (James Franco), a gay activist who becomes an anti-gay Christian pastor.
Director
Justin Kelly
Producer
Ron Singer, Joel Michaely, James Franco, Michael Mendelsohn, Scott Reed, Vince Jolivette
Screenwriter
Stacey Miller, Justin Kelly
Distributor
Brainstorm Media
Production Co
Patriot Pictures, Thats Hollywood, RabbitBandini Productions
Genre
Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 27, 2017, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 11, 2017
Runtime
1h 42m
Most Popular at Home Now