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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Feel good anyway!, June 11, 2008
This review is from: Forgiving the Franklins (DVD)
It's always a pleasure to see characters in a movie who are wholly good-hearted and well-intentioned, even when they're surrounded by those who are neither. The film's moderately silly premise is that the conservative, religious Franklin family (mother, father, teen boy and girl) are involved in an accident wherein the parents and brother have a near-death experience during which they meet Jesus, a pleasant but somewhat exasperated soul who removes from them the burden of 'original sin.' When they return to their lives, many of their views and attitudes have changed, much to the consternation of the daughter, who didn't share the experience. The religious side is, I think, presented with a good balance, from the good (Jesus) to the starkly awful (those of his 'followers' who are obsessed with the sins of others and utterly oblivious to their own). It's a movie to make you think, give you a few good laughs along the way, and leave you with the pleasant feeling the world just might be a better place than you think it is. Maybe.
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15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Jay Floyd is an astounding talent, May 9, 2008
This review is from: Forgiving the Franklins (DVD)
This movie is a pure delight. I too saw it at Sundance. The real star of the film is Jay Floyd the writer, director, producer, and financial backer. I understand he cast it and shot it himself as well. He was one of the most talked about people at Sundance.
This film had me laughing and thinking for months afterward. The 4 members of the Franklin family are played perfectly by the actors.
And you will never view ice cubes the same way again.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Refreshing & Significant, July 29, 2008
This review is from: Forgiving the Franklins (DVD)
Jay Floyd's "Forgiving the Franklins" provides thought-provoking material in an entertaining manner. I've read one review that sets the film in North Carolina and another in North Dakota. Regardless of exactly where the film is set, it is small town America. The question the film poses is whether sexuality is truly anti-religious. Obviously, the world wants the species to continue; so sex has to have its place. But when does physical enjoyment and intimacy cross the line to become sordid? In this film we have a family who through the miracle of an accident is relieved of the burden of original sin. Jesus himself, played by Pop DaSilva, pulls a bloody apple out of the back of their heads thus relieving the mother, father and son of any sexual guilt. Young Brian played by Vince Pavia has never dated girls. The reason becomes clear when relieved of guilt he tells his coach who is massaging his hamstring that it is exciting. Coach Caldwell played by Zak Spears as Kris Scaramanga joins Brian in the shower for Brian's first sexual experience. Brian innocently tells his parents about it at the supper table. Meanwhile, father Frank Franklin played by Robertson Dean who was in "Star Trek: Nemesis" in 2002 & "Vanilla Sky" in 2001 is discovering his routine lovemaking with his wife has been transformed with an exciting freedom of enjoyment. Betty Franklin is played by Teresa Willis whose lack of shame is reflected in sauntering into the yard in her birthday suit to retrieve the morning paper. Their daughter Caroline Franklin is played by Aviva who had a part in "Superbad" in 2007. Still riddled with guilt, she runs to her godmother Peggy Lester played by Mari Blackwell. Lester reports to the Christian women's association that quickly shuns the family and results in fanatical action, divorced from a gospel of love. This is a very entertaining, very direct, very interesting picture that will offend those with a conservative traditional view of morality. I found the film refreshing and significant, a low-budget gem. Bravo!
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