The Stream: Unfocused and lacking laugh out loud moments

The Big Screen: A great cast with standout performance from Omar Sy and David Oyelowo.

The Final Bill: A fun premise turns into a complicated story with too few laughs.

– Trip Fontaine
Director: Jeymes Samuel
Writers: Jeymes Samuel
Stars: LaKeith Stanfield, Omar Sy, Anna Diop, RJ Cyler, David Oyelowo, Micheal Ward, Alfre Woodard, Teyana Taylor, Caleb McLaughlin, James McAvoy, Benedict Cumberbatch
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Adventure
Rating: PG-13 for strong violence, drug use, strong language, some suggestive material, and smoking.
Runtime: 2 hours 3 minutes
Production Companies: Legendary Entertainment, Luca Severi Production Group, Sony Pictures Entertainment, TriStar Pictures
Platform: In theaters January 12, 2024
Notable Trailers: Abigail, Imaginary, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire

Hey, Streamers! Although there aren’t big blockbusters burning up the movie theaters this month, that doesn’t mean there aren’t diverse offerings available to moviegoers. One of those is a movie from visionary director Jeymes Samuel called The Book of Clarence. Like Samuel’s The Harder They Fall before it, The Book of Clarence takes modern sensibilities and sets it in historical times and brims with comedic potential. Let’s see what this gospel has to say.

In The Book of Clarence, it is Jerusalem A.D. 33. Clarence, who is the twin brother of Jesus’ disciple, Thomas, is a down-on-his-luck man trying to get out of debt so that he can take care of his mother and marry the woman of his dreams. Seeing the rise of Jesus, Clarence hatches a scheme declaring himself as a new Messiah in order to gain glory and notoriety. When the Romans get word of a new Messiah, Clarence must get himself out of the mess he’s in or succumb to the forces against him. Chariot races and Biblical hijinks ensue.

The Book of Clarence has a clever premise, but it has also been done before (i.e. Life of Brian and Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff). Luckily, this movie has a such a strong cast and creative director to support its premise. The problem is that the story is too sprawling and unfocused to capitalize on the funny moments it does have. Although there are humorous things that occur, the laugh out loud moments are few and far between. Because of that, whatever commentary the film has on the Gospels gets lost as the movie turns too serious. I will note that the cast is really good. LaKeith Stanfield is a strong leading man and his comedic sensibility shines through. In this very large cast, Omar Sy gets some very funny moments. He’s a compelling actor as we all know from Lupin. Also, David Oyelowo gets the funniest moment. The production design and costumes accurately reference the Biblical epics we’ve seen throughout the years. While all of these things are done well, the overall effect for the story nevertheless falls short.

Ultimately, The Book of Clarence is an interesting movie with a lot of potential in its premise and cast. The movie does not take advantage of its full potential. It could be funnier, and it could be tighter overall in its storytelling. Nevertheless, the cast is good across the board, especially Omar Sy and David Oyelowo. You’ll have fun and be edified, but you’ll also be left wanting more. For those reasons, check it out at a matinee with a bowl of popcorn.