The Truth is Always Quiet. It is Lies that are Loud

TAGLINE: When you open your heart, there’s room for everyone. We are all searching for something bigger than ourselves. Some find it without resorting to drugs, alcohol, or debauchery. However, many people get so sidetracked that they never find God or their purpose. Jesus Revolution, which is based on a true story, details the life of Greg Laurie and how he finds Jesus along with thousands of other teens and young adults in the 1960s and 70s. This Jesus Revolution Movie Review will help you decide if this movie is appropriate for your children.

Jesus Revolution Movie Review – SYNOPSIS

From The Studio: “Based on the Inspiring true story of the spiritual awakening that started in Southern California and spread throughout the United States in the early 1970s. Jesus Revolution stars Joel Courtney, Jonathan Roumie, and Kelsey Grammer.”

MY SYNOPSIS of Jesus Revolution Movie Review

Chuck Smith (Kelsey Grammer) preaches to a near-empty church in Southern California. His daughter implores him to open his heart to the people he appears to despise – the hippies. He tells his daughter that God is going to have to send him a hippie. When Lonnie Frisbee (Jonathan Roumie, who plays Jesus in the Chosen series) shows up preaching the Good News, Chuck is forced to look at his life and make a way for people who may not look or act like him. 

Meanwhile, Greg Laurie (Joel Courtney) is a teenager searching for more. When he meets a free-spirited Cathe, the two start exploring drugs and alcohol. Eventually, Greg has an encounter with Lonnie that changes his life.

What Parents Want to Know About Jesus Revolution Movie Review:

Usually, I detail most content that could be considered offensive, but I am making a change for this review. I will give you a brief overview of the content you might want to know about before taking your children, but I will highlight other key aspects of this movie.

Who is this movie for?

I expect most of the viewers of this movie to be Christians. However, this movie is for anyone Christian or non-Christian searching for truth. It needs to be seen by people who think they know who Jesus is by watching the lives of flawed Christians. If you are someone who doesn’t know Jesus but only knows the Jesus you see in others, you should watch Jesus Revolution.

Adult Content:

This movie details the life of individuals living in California in the late 60s and early 70s and involves hippies and their lifestyles. There are scenes with drugs, drinking, and smoking. Several scenes depict people tripping out. There is also a pretty intense scene where a girl passes out, vomits, and you think she is going to die.

At an open-air concert, a plane drops drugs, presumably LSD, on cards, to the audience below.

There are signs such as Make Love, Not War and other anti-establishment type signs.

Another harrowing scene involves a man driving while on drugs. The passenger in the vehicle is trying to get the driver to pull over. After a near accident, the passenger gets out and stumbles around, almost getting hit by a car. In another scene, there is a pretty serious car crash. The vehicle’s driver is shown in the hospital and later shown with a scar on her face. 

There are a few scenes that deal with relationships. A mom is always drinking and hooking up with new men. Another key figure begins to exhibit self-centered behaviors as opposed to God-centered. He begins to become prideful and arrogant. 

Lonnie and Chuck Smith have a parting of ways. 

Sexual Content:

There are numerous references to promiscuity. Lonnie says, “We did everything and everyone.”

Positive Content:

Jesus Revolution depicts an era that was filled with people looking for something more. During the Vietnam War era, sex, drugs, and alcohol were the means that people used to find themselves much like today. Unfortunately, using those means leads to a life further from the truth. The movie accurately displays a life separate from God.

It also tugs at the heart. Do you see today’s youth struggling to make some meaning out of their lives, turning to the modern-day drugs of choice, and believing the lie that they are their own god? We hear today, “You have the power within you,” and “You can be anyone or anything you want.” Are these confused teens and young adults embraced and told of God’s love, or are they expected to clean up their act before they can be saved?

The portrayal of psychedelic drugs and alcohol use highlights the dangers and the fact that the people using the substances are not finding answers or escaping their pain. 

Spiritual Content:

The Bible is shown repeatedly. Scripture is quoted, and Bible stories are talked about. 

Furthermore, finding Jesus is the highlight of the entire movie. A relationship with Jesus becomes Greg’s focus, and he says to Cathe (who is his girlfriend) that if she ever gets in the way of his relationship with Jesus, they are finished. She later says the same thing to him.

Seeing humans who love God and want to serve him but are flawed is essential. We tend to hold our religious leaders and mentors to standards that only God can be held to. 

Things to Think About

People let you down. You will be disappointed if you look to others for your faith – even other Christians. The world expects Christians to be perfect. Other Christians expect perfection. God wants us to come to him just as we are. There are some Christians that never grow past their initial conversion. But whether you are a new Christian or have been a Christian for years, we all stumble and fall. And the shame of being less than a perfect Christian prevents many people from fulfilling their calling. “What if people find out who I am?” We worry that we will be found to be frauds. And the world is waiting to prove that we are not like Jesus. This movie should help Christians to see that we are not the saviors people are looking for, but we can be a conduit to helping others to Christ.

Some people yearn for fame or fortune. Others are on the hunt for the perfect relationship. Greg Laurie said he didn’t want to be famous, “I just want my name to mean something.” At the end of our life, will our name have meant something?

Jesus Revolution Christian Movie Review – My Viewing Recommendations

When I watch a movie, I know that if two things happen during the movie, I can usually recommend the film. One is laughing, and the other is crying. If a movie can move me in those ways, it has touched me deeply. During Jesus Revolution, I laughed. And I had tears streaming down my face almost the entire movie. 

Jesus Revolution is a must-see film. Not only does it tell a great story, but it also caused me to question who I am and how I respond to those that are searching. 

Furthermore, Kelsey Grammer is excellent in his role. As is Jonathan Roumie and Joel Courtney.

Be aware that it is rated PG-13 and deals with real-life issues – drinking, drugs, abandonment, a car crash, and more. 12-13 and up is my recommended age for viewing.

About the Movie Jesus Revolution:

Runtime: 2 hours

Rating: PG-13

Release Date: February 24, 2023

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score as of 2/24/2023: 62% and an Audience Score: 100%

Cast of Jesus Revolution:

Kelsey Grammar is Chuck Smith

Jonathan Roumie is Lonnie Frisbee

Joel Courtney is Greg Laurie

Jackson Robert Scott as young Greg Laurie

Anna Grace Barlow as Cathe Martin

Ally Ioannides as Janette Smith

Julia Campbell as Kay Smith

Kimberley Williams-Paisley as Charlene McDaniel (Greg’s Mom)

Devon Franklin as Josiah

Mina Sundwall as Dodie

Steve Hanks as Timothy Leary

Erin Schaut as Janis Joplin

Directors: Jon Erwin

     Brent McCorkle

Producers: Jon Erwin

     Kevin Downes

     Andrew Erwin

     Josh Walsh

     Daryl Lefever

By Kingdom Story Co. and Lionsgate

ABOUT HARVEST MINISTRIES AND GREG LAURIE:

Greg Laurie is the senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship. For more information, visit harvest.org 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Where can I watch Jesus Revolution?

It was released in theaters on February 24, 2023. As of April 11, 2023, it is available to purchase digitally on Amazon, Vudu, Google Play, and Apple TV+. On April 25, 2023, Jesus Revolution will be available on Blu-Ray and DVD.

Is Jesus Revolution streaming anywhere?

Currently, it is not streaming on Netflix, HBO Max, Peacock, Disney+, or Paramount. It is thought that when it becomes available to stream, it will be on Peacock due to a Lionsgate deal.

Where did the baptisms take place?

Pirates Cove which is in Newport Beach, California

What other movies has Kingdom Story Company produced?

I Can Only Imagine

American Underdog

I Still Believe

The Jesus Music

Which issue of TIME Magazine was “The Jesus Revolution” story published?

The story by TIME Magazine was published on June 21, 1971. It was Vol. 97 No 25.

What happened to Lonnie Frisbee?

Lonnie, who was depicted as a charismatic Jesus Freak, had been sexually abused as a young child. He struggled with his sexuality and was known to have gay relationships. Connie and Lonnie divorced in 1973. He died of AIDS in 1993. 

What was the name of Chuck Smith’s church?

Calvary Chapel

What was the name of the church where Greg Laurie began preaching?

Harvest Christian Fellowship

Where can I read more?

The movie is based on the book Jesus Revolution by Greg Laurie and Ellen Vaughn.

Were people baptized in Pirates Cove?

Pirates Cove is in Southern California in the Pacific Ocean. They did baptize people in Pirates Cove, and baptism continues to this day – usually as an annual event.

What about Greg Laurie’s upbringing? Is this faith-based movie accurate?

Greg’s mother, who is portrayed as a Marilyn Monroe like bombshell, was an alcoholic who had seven husbands and many boyfriends. Laurie lived between his mom’s house, grandparents house, and even military school. When he was 16, he became involved with drugs smoking marijuana, and taking LSD. He took drugs for about 18 months and then had a very bad trip where he heard a voice tell him he was going to die. This was the starting point of turning his life around.

Will there be another Jesus Revolution?

I believe we are seeing another revolution, but I don’t think it will come the same way. The Asbury Revival, which has spread to other college campuses, may be the spark that ignites a struggling generation to turn to God.

Who was Kathryn Kuhlman?

Kathryn was an American evangelist who was a “faith healer.” She traveled and had a television show called “I Believe in Miracles.”

Who airdropped the drugs during the concert?

These air drop cards were the brainchild of The Brotherhood of Eternal Love. They were called the Hippie Mafia by police and manufactured Orange Sunshine. While Albert Hoffmann invented LSD in the 1930s, Timothy Leary was the frontman for this drug in the 60s and 70s. Nicholas Sands was the man who created Orange Sunshine which is the purest, highest-quality acid ever produced.

Some of my favorite quotes from the Movie:

“It’s not something to be explained. It’s something to be experienced.” – Chuck Smith

“There is an entire generation searching for God.”

“The truth is always quiet. It’s the lies that are loud.”