X
In Theaters Now
- 2024
- PG-13
- Columbia Pictures
- 2 h 9 m
- 2024
- PG-13
- Columbia Pictures
- 2 h 9 m
Summary Streetwise but down-on-his-luck, Clarence (LaKeith Stanfield) is struggling to find a better life for his family, while fighting to free himself of debt. Captivated by the power and glory of the rising Messiah and His apostles, he risks everything to carve his own path to a divine life, and ultimately discovers that the redemptive power ...
Directed By: Jeymes Samuel
Written By: Jeymes Samuel
In Theaters Now
- 2024
- PG-13
- Columbia Pictures
- 2 h 9 m
- 2024
- PG-13
- Columbia Pictures
- 2 h 9 m
The Book of Clarence
57
6.6
Where to Watch
Summary Streetwise but down-on-his-luck, Clarence (LaKeith Stanfield) is struggling to find a better life for his family, while fighting to free himself of debt. Captivated by the power and glory of the rising Messiah and His apostles, he risks everything to carve his own path to a divine life, and ultimately discovers that the redemptive power ...
Directed By: Jeymes Samuel
Written By: Jeymes Samuel
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 27 Critic Reviews
57
52% Positive
14 Reviews
14 Reviews
44% Mixed
12 Reviews
12 Reviews
4% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 27 Critic Reviews
57
52% Positive
14 Reviews
14 Reviews
44% Mixed
12 Reviews
12 Reviews
4% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
It’s a well-made, witty movie that manages to send up some of the tropes of organized religion while simultaneously signaling that it is firmly on the side of the believers, and also managing not to annoy any atheists in the house. Jesus, it’s good.
The sincerity with which The Book of Clarence approaches its story, combined with its sheer boldness, will cement Samuel as a filmmaker who soars to unimaginable heights.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 29 User Ratings
6.6
62% Positive
18 Ratings
18 Ratings
14% Mixed
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
24% Negative
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 29 User Ratings
6.6
62% Positive
18 Ratings
18 Ratings
14% Mixed
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
24% Negative
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
Multiverse Messiahs? Well, it worked for Spiderman. Why not The Xrist? The movie is a thought-provoking and deeply introspective that delves into the concept of empathy and the complexities of mistaken identity. Filmed with a unique updated blend of theological exploration and fiction elements, this movie offers a fresh perspective on the atmospheric and the souls of the Messiahs… -It is a symbol by faith-. The director skillfully weaves together multiple mental dimensions and presenting the Messiahs- a figure who exists simultaneously in various realities. This multiverse approach allows for a captivating exploration of empathy. Clearance. From ordinary men to pioneer, is one of the different versions of messiahs encounter diverse individuals and situations, each with their own unique challenges and perspectives. -Including the Blanco messiah- one of the most compelling aspects of this movie is its portrayal of the messiah’s empathy. Through the multiverse lens, the director emphasizes the importance of understanding and compassion, showcasing how Clarnece adapts his knowledge and actions to suit the needs of each reality he encounters. This portrayal serves as a powerful reminder of the universal nature of empathy and its ability to transcend boundaries
Report
A modern masterpiece, will be looked upon far morefavorably as time passes. Pays homage to classic films and does it with a great vast, deals with heavy subjects but gives breaks with moments of levity that don't take away from the overall meaning or feeling of the film
Report
Samuel’s The Book Clarence is a grab bag of ideas and genres that sometimes hit their mark, but in general don’t land a believable arc for the title character.
Whether it works depends less on piety than on taste. Beneath the giddy subversion, there’s a cheerless solemnity — a splash of Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ,” as it were — that often comes close to curdling the farce.
Stanfield is a performer whom you can’t help warming to, although here, as sometimes in the past, I found myself wanting him to bring something extra in the third act, some new level of energy or anger. But maybe it would be wrong here.
Samuel never stays with any idea for long and “The Book of Clarence” lacks cohesion, as well as consistency, even if the acting is superb, especially from a soulful Stanfield.
The Book of Clarence, the religious epic by multi-hyphenate talent Jeymes Samuel, is a handsomely crafted picture that simply loses the plot.
This was superb.. entertaining throughout
Emotional, Hilarious, Action w/ a biblical delivery ..and of course I have to mention the amazing & soulful soundtrack!
Report
"Book of Clarence" (1/12/24, PG-13, 122-min, $6M US only, D/Jeymes Samuel) is an interesting dramedy vehicle for star LaKeith Stanfield ("Atlanta"). In the time of Jesus, he plays a down on his luck dude who needs shekels to pay off a debt fast. He concocts a money-making scheme to be a charlatan messiah since, as an atheist, he's sure that Jesus is just using tricks to fool crowds into donating money. And he sees success at it. Along the way he frees Barabbas who becomes a bodyguard for Clarence. However, it's disappointing to see the director using the film play to hurtful racial stereotypes, though. IIRC, the entire biblical cast is black but the cruel Roman legions are all white, so that was unnecessary reverse-racism. Anyway, karma catches up to Clarence the charlatan and he finds himself staked up alongside the real one which can trigger an emotional reaction and leads to a character-transforming touching ending.
Report
If you watched and know the style of Jeymes Samuel as writer and director you know what to expect (The Harder they Fall, They Die by Down). It tells the story of a man that is a con artist that aims to be a new Messiah, in the age of Jesus (and alongside him - 3 days behind), but not a classical Jesus or a new correct etiology one, but one in a black **** have some interesting messages more to end, shows Romans as the whites, and do not mention proper Jews - it also doesn't choose to what it aims as a movie, comedy or drama putting some comic sequences and references of Marijuana (that was used already in that time, a certain thing, accidental or not). LaKeith Stanfield is the star of the movie and does well his role and multiplicity of his character. But this isn't enough to make this a good movie. To me a score of 6.0 out of 10.0 / B-, almost C+.
Report
I'm not very spiritual and I don't smoke dope, so the whole thing made me feel like a furry at a nudist camp.
Report
Overall a poorly executed film. I'm only giving it a 2 because of the somewhat original idea behind it.
Report
