The Blue Like Jazz Movie Non-Review
I read the book Blue Like Jazz several years ago. When I think about it, I find it odd that I found it in a Lifeway Christian Bookstore. It just doesn’t feel like something that a good, Baptist bookstore would sell. Or that a good, Baptist boy would read. Since I’m not a good Baptist boy, I guess that makes it alright.
I would have never dreamed that Blue Like Jazz would have been made into a movie. That never entered my mind. I was just enthralled with the journey that Don Miller took and the odd characters that he ran into.
Now that it has been made into a movie, I have read several reviews. A lot of my fellow bloggers have been to see it. Alas, I cannot find it anywhere near me through Fandango. I live in the mountains of East Tennessee and, if correct, Georgia has the nearest theaters showing it.
So, I will have to wait. I know that there are people buying tickets to support Don and Steve Taylor (Hey Steve! I want to be a clone). I will buy it on DVD when it comes out.
I’m sure that Blue Like Jazz will face its fair share of critics within the Christian community. If you like your Christian movies all neat and tidy with a happy, predictable endings, go see this movie. That won’t be what you get, but go see it anyway.
If you don’t mind your Christian movie being full of odd characters, a bit of bad language and questionable themes, then go see this movie.
Buy it on DVD when it comes out.
Tell your friends about it.
Watch it early and often.
What will happen is you will experience a real Christian going through what a lot of real Christians go through.
Have you seen Blue Like Jazz? Did you read the book? What did you think?
You hit the nail on the head, Larry:
It was real–real in a way that “Christian” movies are typically not. There is no preaching to the choir here, but rather a tacit admission that the world is a wider, weirder place than our Evangelical subculture is comfortable with. Also real in the sense that the movie tacitly admits (like the Bible) that Christians are hypocrites, and actually (gasp) sin. (1John, anyone–”If we say we have no sin…”).
At it’s most basic, it is the story of a young man who tries to leave his life, and by extension, God, behind, but finds–like David in Psalm 139–that he can’t.
There is a journey to get to that place, but it’s a real journey. One in which people do unsavory things.
Billy Graham once said that one of the proofs that the Bible is the Word of God is that it presents us as we are. Blue Like Jazz is like that: it shows people as we are–both good and bad. Often with the two intermingled in the heart same person.
Two thumbs up! Worth seeing in the theater if you can.
I love what you said about Billy Graham and the Bible Chad. I can’t wait to see it! But, like Larry, I’ll have to wait as well until it comes to a theater near me.
It may be “near” me this weekend, but downtown Knoxville is still a 40 minute drive for me.
Only 40 mins, Larry? Worth it. (Takes me that long to get to work everyday). Larry Shallenberger (of Erie, PA) commuted 5 hours round trip to see it in Pittsburgh last weekend.
Thanks, Andrew! Appreciate it!
We’ll see. I still have to figure out where it is. Fandango isn’t listing it.
Website is supposed to be updated Thursday night:
http://www.bluelikejazzthemovie.com/tickets/state/TN/
I’ll check it out.
I may be one of the few who did not like Blue LIke Jazz. I found it (and Rob Bell’s Velvet Elvis) extremely boring. Be that as it may, I read a review that sounds like Steve had a Meltdown at Madame Touseaus. Will I go see it or buy the DVD? Probably not. I would say never but I have learned to never say never.
I might not like the movie. That happens a lot when I like a book.
I read the book and thought it was different. I’m looking forward to seeing the movie. Thanks for the “non-review”!
It was definitely different. Probably not for everyone.
I liked the book so much…i’m kinda scared to watch the movie….it will just ruin it…i think…
I have that same fear.
I’m actually reading the book for the first time RIGHT NOW. It’s funny, I know several folks actually in the movie. I didn’t like the book at first. I thought it was kind of dull, but then as I kept reading, (I’m about half way now) I got sucked in. I realized that this book really is challenging me and making me think. I didn’t like the political side of the book. I didn’t like the questioning of God as it seemed a bit disrespectful in some ways. But now, I’m REALLY thinking about my faith and why I believe what I believe. It’s pretty eye-opening!
Right. I’m probably 180° in the other direction from Don theologically and politically. However, I could relate because I think we’ve all been in that place he was at in questioning everything. I just didn’t land where he did.
I got to preview the movie at a conference i attended and my first thought was, “if your idea of Christian movies are the ‘Left Behind’ movies or ‘Fireproof’ or any other movie made by Sherwood Baptist in Albany, GA, this movie ain’t for you.” The Atlantic has a very good review of the movie, http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2012/04/why-blue-like-jazz-wont-save-christian-cinema/255965/. I would also suggest you check out “The Way” directed by Emilio Estevez and another movie called “Higher Ground”. Both movies depict characters that are earnestly seeking.
All of those movies have their place, I suppose. The problem is that too many people will laud those while rejecting this one. Is it “family friendly”? No. But is it real? Yeah.
By the way, I believe that it is making its way to Knoxville this weekend.
I loved the book. One of the few books that I have read multiple times. The movie isn’t near me either but I will see it if it does come my way or on DVD.