The Book of Clarence

 

       This new biblical comedy/drama is from writer and director Jeymes Samuel. It borrows its DNA from "Life of Brian" and many biblical dramas but definitely has an odd originality all its own.

       Seeing how Jesus is revered by the masses, Clarence (a non-believer) decides to become a messiah himself as part of a larger con in AD 33 Jerusalem. His comical deception leads him down a parallel path of the actual Jesus, where he encounters the Virgin Mary, the 12 apostles, Judas, Barabbas, Pontis Pilate, Mary Magdelene, and John the Baptist.

        Clarence is played by LaKeith Stanfield, who is absolutely terrific in the role (he also plays his twin brother, Thomas). Co-starring are Omar Sy as Barabbas, RJ Cyler as Elijah, David Oyelowo as John the Baptist, Micheal Ward as Judas, Alfre Woodward as the Virgin Mary, Teyana Taylor as Mary Magdelene, Marianne Jean- Baptiste as Clarence's mother, James McAvoy as Pontis, and Benedict Cumberbatch as Benjamin. It's a fine cast caught in a film that has a hard time finding its core. 

       Divided into three "books", the film gets less funny and much more serious as we arrive at book three, "The Crucifixion". At once, a biblical satire, social commentary, comedy, and dark drama, the film is uneven but ultimately an interesting work.