In an astute satire, “Sound the horn for Jesus. The Reverend Lee-Curtis Childs and his first lady, Trinity, are not only not ready for a close-up, they urgently need it.” Sterling K. Brown portrays Lee Curtis, a corrupt megachurch pastor who hires a documentary filmmaker to help him make a comeback. Hall is amazing as a woman who stands by men for a variety of reasons. After all, he and her golden throne sit in their church, Wander to Greater Paths.
Almost everyone in the church’s thousands of congregations left with that name in mind because of the sex scandal. Many of them left for the growing rival church of former parishioners Keone and Shakra Sumpter (played by Confidance and Nicole Beharie).
The comedy (originally a short) was written and directed by first-time Adama Evo, who produced with his filmmaking partner and identical twin, Adan. The Evo sisters were raised in the Southern Baptist tradition of Atlanta, where the film is set, and the director demonstrates a keen and nuanced understanding of pastoral power and the rewards of hypocrisy. Adama Evo, 2010 Inspired by, or more appropriately, the real-life plunge of megachurch minister Eddie Long, who was accused of sexual misconduct by a young man in her congregation, she wrestled.
Still, “honk your horn for Jesus.” Not a candid mockumentary. The unseen fly-on-the-wall filmmaker hired by Lee-Curtis (voiced by Andrea Laing) is another witness to the revelation of the Rev. and his first woman. We viewers are familiar with the many intimate interactions between men and wives.
Brown, once the star of “This Is Us,” goes deep into his character, a broken soul that blends divine blessings with human Benjamin. The prosperity gospel is the rock upon which many churches are founded. Still, Brown makes it an eye-opener. And Beharie is devilishly good as her First Lady 2.0. But it’s Hall that expresses the emotional complexity of the film, and the flimsy morality of its characters. Trinity also enjoys the bounty given to the couple. Shopping Visit her mall to buy hats for the comeback service, and you’ll see hefty price tags. Then one morning, when Trinity sat down with her mother to discuss her marital doubts, we learned the tangled roots of her conflict.
Not surprisingly, Lee Curtis’ return is scheduled for Easter Sunday. His desperation escalates as the deadline approaches and the settlement agreement with the accuser falters. Let’s circulate the sign on the street corner. May there be something called a “praise mime.” Unfold the black Jesus statue.
After all, the film doesn’t show much compassion for the good pastor. (He has plenty of sympathy for himself.) It’s also less made up about the pain actual parishioners might experience when their power falls. If Ebo was going in that direction, “honk for Jesus.” Truer as it may be, it has become darker, artfully hilarious and heart-rending. For this very smart comedy, it would have been tragic.
Sound your horn for Jesus. save your soul
Rated R for language and some sexual content. Running time: 1 hour 42 minutes.available in theaters peacock.