116. The Jesus Rolls; movie review

THE JESUS ROLLS
Cert 15
85 mins
BBFC advice: Contains strong language, sex, sex references

During the course of the everyfilm challenge, I have managed to catch up with re-releases of many acclaimed movies I have missed over the decades.
However, one which still eludes me is The Big Lebowski which probably explains why I didn't derive as much from The Jesus Rolls as I should have done.
John Turturro directs and stars in this film which is a spin-off from the Coen Brothers' 1998 cult classic.
He plays bowling legend Jesus Quintana in what the media blurb describes as a 'boundary-breaking, sex, crime and comedy caper'.
I didn't spot any boundaries being broken - indeed, it felt a bit like watching an extended in-joke.
However, it cannot be denied that there is great chemistry between Turturro and Bobby Cannavale who plays the best friend who goes reluctantly along with his madcap schemes.
As they begin a spree of stealing cars and small-time burglary, they pick up a free-spirited hairdresser (Audrey Tautou) whose friendship they share in more ways than one.
There is no doubt that The Jesus Rolls looks good - the landscapes of rural New York are very soft on the eye and the characters present themselves as out of the norm and, fair play, they have all looked after themselves into middle-age)
Ditto Susan Sarandon whose unconventional cameo prompted me to ask if she really could be 74. She must spend every night in an oxygen tank.
I digress.
Apparently, The Jesus Rolls is based upon Bertrand Blier’s controversial sex comedy Going Places. I haven't had the benefit of seeing that but this is a curiosity in which there are free love and petty crime in almost equal measure.
Its problem is that it isn't as funny as its participants seem to think it is - at least not to anyone who is watching on.

Reasons to watch: Intriguing follow-up
Reasons to avoid: Not as funny as it might be

Laughs: Three
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: Yes
Overall rating: 5/10

Did you know? Despite being a spin-off from The Big Lebowski, it is also a remake of the 1974 French film Going Places by Bertrand Blier which was itself based on his own novel, Les valseuses.

The final word. John Turturro: "People have been coming up to me for years and asking me to do something with the Jesus or to make a sequel centred around him. It’s such a small role in a movie that’s somehow become part of the cultural zeitgeist but people really love the character. Like, really love him." Rolling Stone

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