Comic Evangelists
Daniel Jones, Dann Sytsma
U.S., 2006
English
75 minutes • Color
Production: Blanket Statement Productions
Screenplay: Crawlspace Eviction & Daniel Jones
Principal Cast: Adam Carter, Allison Hendrix, Jennifer Moubray, Steve Petersen, Scott Piebenga, Eli Rix, James Sanford, Dann Sytsma, Tara Sytsma, Kate Walker
SHOWTIMES:
Fri Apr 27 5:00pm Key Cinemas 2
Mon Apr 30 7:45pm WTTS Screening Room (Landmark)“I can’t find my swaddling clothes,” says “Baby Jesus” in a comedy improv nativity scene. “Can’t help you there,” says “Mary,” but maybe you could wear this . . .” (gestures to the audience for the next word) “Saran Wrap.” Hysterical laughter ensues from the sparse audience, most of whom turn out to be relatives of the performers.
In what could be called the Little Miss Sunshine of mockumentaries, a mismatched troupe of would-be Comedians for Christ leaves the godly confines of Kalamazoo, Mich, and follows the not so straight and narrow path to the sinful city of Toronto to save souls at an improv festival. There’s Rick, the spiritual leader who proves easy prey for the temptations flesh is heir to; Noah, whose vessel is a few animals short of an Ark; Boniva, the token African American who wonders why these white people keep cutting her off on stage; Blane, a “divorced atheist” whom the group takes it as their mission to convert; Beth, a sadder but wiser girl whose experiences inspire her to write the song, “Never Date a Liar”; and Nigel, who, to the group’s horror, takes to the godless streets in search of the love that dares not speak its name.
The unforgiving camera of a unseen documentarian reveals the answers to questions that might have better gone unasked. What unspeakable secret does Noah discover behind closed doors? Will Beth trade in her virtue for a package of Toblerone chocolate? What really goes on at Abstenance Camp? Why aren’t the Comic Evangelists listed on the festival’s program? Why does Rick plan the trip while sharpening knives? How many stamps do Americans need to place on a letter to Canada? And is there truth to the rumor that if you keep walking north on New York’s Broadway, you’ll reach Toronto?
This wickedly funny film whose cast is the improv troupe Crawlspace Eviction slyly skewers those pesky foibles that keep foiling the best intentions of us weak humans. Comedy is not only not pretty, it turns out not to be very holy either. However, as the filmmakers hasten to add, “No Christians were harmed in the making of this picture.” Neither will you be, though your funny bone may ache, when you hearken to the message of these Comic Evangelists. - Dennis Bingham
SCREENS WITH:
IF THERE WERE NO LUTHERANS, WOULD THERE STILL BE GREEN JELL-O®
Gayle Knutson, US, 12 minutesA wacky Lutheran minister changes his little corner of the world in this charming documentary short.