Theres a price to be paid for dreaming
Rating: 7/10
Running Time: 107 minutes
UK Certificate: 18
On DVD
Billy Crudups character in 70s-set druggy flick Jesus Son could well be one of the most appropriately-named leads in cinematic history. I cant actually say what it is on a good wholesome family web site like this one, but lets just say it starts with an F and ends with an uckhead. Its a nickname, of course nobodys parents would be THAT cruel. But so apt is it (everything he touches inevitably seems to turn to crud which actually makes the actors name fairly appropriate as well, come to think of it), that telling us his real name is never deemed important. Talk about making a guy feel special, eh?
This is essentially a road movie, following the drug-fuelled exploits of FH (well follow the lead of the end credits and call him that from now on) as he drives around in a Volkswagen with girlfriend Michelle (Samantha Morton), bumping into the weird and wonderful characters who populate Americas Midwest along the way.
Included in the mixed bag are a bullet-holed Dennis Hopper, one seriously unlucky Holly Hunter (everyone shes ever loved has died and she seems to have loved a LOT of people), and a virtually unrecognisable Denis Leary. By far and away the best of the segments, however, are those featuring a spaced-out bunny-loving Jack Black. If youre a fan of the Tenacious D man, then this is a film youve got to see even though his part in the proceedings is relatively small.
Importantly though, unlike Johnny Depps Raoul Duke in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas or Vincent Gallos Billy in Buffalo 66, FH is a genuinely likable kinda bloke. Despite his less-than-grounded perspective of the world, he’s an easy character to sympathise with, root for, and even relate to. Even when the film becomes a little bogged down in melodrama in it’s final half-hour (incidentally, the whole thing’s around half-an-hour too long), it’s his genial good nature that keeps it watchable.
It's Got: A hunting knife through the eye.
It Needs: Milk for the bunnies!!
DVD Extras A trailer, and thats it. Boo! DVD Extras Rating: 1/10
Summary
Dont let the title put you off this is quite a bit easier going than 'The Passion of the Christ'!