Plot Summary
Luke is a struggling pastor with no real congregation. Thus, inspired by the rantings of a homeless man, he decides to take his ministry to the streets. There, he crosses paths with a desperate bar owner, Simon, who’s in need of some quick cash to pay off his gambling debts. Inspired by a prosperity-preaching televangelist, Simon convinces Luke to start a church in his bar to raise the funds he needs, using a message of prosperity. However, things don’t go as planned, and Luke discovers what real ministry is about.
Production Quality (2 points)
The Holy Roller has a surprisingly fine production, including good video quality, camera work, and audio quality. The soundtrack is also fine, although there are a lot of musical montages. Sets, locations, and props are mostly realistic and appropriate. The only other issue to point out here is the choppy editing that includes too much fluff content and too many odd cuts. However, despite these issues, this is a pretty standard production that looks good on the surface.
Plot and Storyline Quality (0 points)
This obviously quirky premise is meant to be a comedy, but it really just comes off as very forced and dry. The humor is too off-the-wall and awkward to be funny. It’s really trying too hard to be something it’s not, and it seems like satire is purposely eccentric, even though it falls flat. Besides this, there is too much forced drama as the story rushes along at a breakneck pace that leaves no room for character development. This leaves the characters very shallow and empty. The fast pace of things also stunts any sense of reality and leaves the viewer disoriented and confused, without any ability to relate the struggles of the characters. Basically, this is a dramedy that skates on top of everything so quickly that it’s over before you know it. Actually, that might be a good thing.
Acting Quality (1 point)
This amateur cast seems like they are acting purposely awkward most of the time as they struggle to get their lines out. Emotions are either too dorky or too forced. However, there are some good moments here, and there would have been more if there had been better coaching. Some things just weren’t meant to be, I guess.
Conclusion
Small church films like The Holy Roller struggles for identity and specialty in a sea of a myriad small church films vying for attention and views. Unfortunately, not many of them actually make it to the next level, and most of them get stuck where The Holy Roller gets stuck: in shoulder-shrugging mediocrity. The status of these sorts of movies can only be ‘better luck next time.’
Final Rating: 3 out of 10 points
Box Office Revolution 