(Editor's
note: There continues to be a great interest in this movie.
It is available on DVD and video. We encourage you to
see it!)
Joshua - the movie
review by Tom Gilbert
When I first started seeing the trailers for the movie
"Joshua" and noticed it was based on a novel
I promptly went to the library to seek out the book. I
must confess I was ignorant of this popular novel by Father
Joseph Girzone. I read the comments in the book from readers
and reviewers about how the "book had changed their
lives" and "its importance to everyone who reads
it". Sounded like a cult following and I was a bit
skeptical, but quickly was drawn into the book. I found
it wholly refreshing and spiritually moving.
The movie makes a few changes (what adaptation doesn't?),
but by-and-large stays true to the book and is a delight.
Rare, indeed, is it to find a movie that you can bring
the entire family to (rated – G) and that everyone can
find inspirational. It's not preachy or dogmatic. It will
make you think and reflect on your own actions/motives
and how you might treat a stranger like Joshua showing
up in your town (What if Jesus showed up today unannounced
and started interacting with you and townspeople?). Joshua
means "Jesus" – I'm certain this was the author's
intent.
The retelling of the story of Jesus in a modern-day setting
and the overall production, direction and acting are top-notch.
Tony Goldwyn portrays Joshua and gives an honest and humble
performance. Kurt Fuller as Father Pat has the pivotal
role of the somewhat bumbling and insecure priest who
is caught between his superior's disapproval (Academy-award
winner F. Murray Abraham) and Joshua's impact on his personal
faith. And the soundtrack featuring Michael W. Smith,
Jaci Valasquez and Third Day (including a performance
cameo) really contributes to the effectiveness of the
story.
Directed by Jon Purdy with a screen adaptation by writers
Brad Mirman and Keith Giglio, this is a quality production
from Epiphany films. It had a limited run in select theaters
but is now out on video/DVD.
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