Jesus' Son MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +1 Content: -3

In the never-ending search for drugs to feed their addiction, people are thrust into clearly unhealthy activities and relationships. JESUS' SON tells the story of one addict, nicknamed FH (Billy Crudup). In a world filled with odd characters and tragic situations, everything FH does seems to turn out badly. Tragedy and failure follow him wherever he goes, a condition only compounded by his addiction to heroin. His addiction begins when his girlfriend, Michelle (Samantha Morton), turns him on to shooting up. The film then follows FH in his travels from one bad situation to another, all the while picturing him as a sort of Christ-like character. This can only possibly be explained by the questionably uplifting ending, although even then, the audience may still wonder. Despite its critical praise at film festivals, JESUS' SON is a rather boring, gloomy, and depressing film that most assuredly will be avoided.

Although the title refers to a line in a popular rock song, a basic knowledge of the biblical story of Jesus is definitely necessary to understand much of the symbolism that pictures FH as a Jesus character. Several biblical references occur throughout the film, and he even encounters a Satan-type figure at one point. However, if this encounter is supposed to parallel the biblical temptation of Christ, its hard to see the connection. Beyond its catchy title and questionable Christian symbolism, the movie is filled with scene after scene of graphic drug use, often with graphically depicted needle use. One scene also includes a pornographic sexual encounter with female breast nudity, motions and sounds. In another scene, a woman undergoes an abortion after she decides she cant support the child at that time. Obscene language is predictably excessive with 30 f-words and 9 s-words, as well as Gods name used in vain a few times. Although often shown in negative light, foul language, sexual content, and graphic drug use condemn JESUS' SON.

Preview Reviewer: John Adair
Distributor: Lions Gate Films, 5750 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 501, LA, CA 90036