Jesus' Son

R

Released Sep 5, 1999

1h 49m

Drama

List

79%

Tomatometer

52 Reviews

83%

Audience Score

5,000+ Ratings

Set in the early 1970's, "Jesus' Son" is a series of linked yet discrete stories that chart the to-hell-and-back journey of a young man known only as "FH." Told in the way a person might recount a series of anecdotes over a drink -- with all the mistakes and exaggerations, false starts and shuttling back in time that inevitably occurs -- it is a stunning glimpse into the way one man's heart and mind work.

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Critics Consensus

Slight yet ultimately absorbing, Jesus' Son makes effective use of its period setting and talented ensemble cast.

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Lisa Schwarzbaum

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: B+

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

Globe and Mail

Rated: 2.5/4

Mar 22, 2002

Full Review

Peter Travers

Rolling Stone

Rated: 4.5/5

May 10, 2001

Full Review

James Hannaham

Out Magazine

Crudup pulls through with sheepish charm, but the film's episodic form and skimpy context give it a diffuse quality, compounded by FH's frustrating passivity.

May 27, 2022

Full Review

A.S. Hamrah

The Baffler

Every role in this film is just nailed by its actor...

Sep 16, 2020

Full Review

Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

Alison Maclean takes an uncommon approach to a common theme and comes up with a film that is nothing short of a revelation.

Rated: 3.5/4.0

Sep 12, 2020

Full Review

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Brett J

The most beautiful of tragedies. A telling of the folly of unguided youth into love, sex, and drugs. Witty, fun, and surreal. Deep and inspires gratitude of life.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/15/24

Full Review

Toby B

A really great adaptation, perfectly cast, perfectly art directed, nicely assembled.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/27/22

Full Review

Audience Member

A forgotten indie movie from 1999 that I'd only ever heard of due to, oddly enough, having some visual effects by the now-defunct Blue Sky Studios before they dedicated themselves completely to animation. Shame that Jesus' Son was forgotten because it's a decent indie drama. The narrative feel is admittedly disjointed and it gets dull in places but it is saved by its writing, character development and talented cast with Jack Black stealing the show. It's not for everyone but it is surprising to learn that nobody ever talks about this movie to the point that it doesn't even have a Plot section on Wikipedia. Even by bare-bones pages' standards on that site, this never sat right with me. Give it a watch and see if this period-piece drama will emotionally move you.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/23/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The chronicles of a junkie in love trying his best to get by life and keep his girlfriend 2.9

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/24/20

Full Review

Audience Member

Jake black is fucking funny good movie

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/14/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Somehow this quirky and magical little film has been forgotten. A great movie.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

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Alison Maclean

Director

Billy Crudup

FH

Samantha Morton

Michelle

Denis Leary

Wayne

Jack Black

Georgie

Will Patton

John Smith

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Synopsis

Set in the early 1970's, "Jesus' Son" is a series of linked yet discrete stories that chart the to-hell-and-back journey of a young man known only as "FH." Told in the way a person might recount a series of anecdotes over a drink -- with all the mistakes and exaggerations, false starts and shuttling back in time that inevitably occurs -- it is a stunning glimpse into the way one man's heart and mind work.

Director: Alison Maclean
Screenwriter: Denis Johnson, Elizabeth Cuthrell, David Urrutia, Oren Moverman
Distributor: Lionsgate Films
Production Co: Alliance Atlantis Communications, Evenstar Productions, Blue Sky Studios
Rating: R (Strong Language|Sexuality|Drug Use|Violence)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 5, 1999, Original
Release Date (Streaming): May 23, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.3M
Runtime: 1h 49m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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