Christian Film Joshua A Little Disappointing

Joshua, a Christian movie based on a novel by Joseph Girzone, has left me confused and a little disappointed. Perhaps I expected too much after seeing it advertised on TBN when it had first come out in 2002.

The story of a stranger coming to a small town and transforming the community by his kindness and selfless deeds started out as promising. I enjoyed watching Joshua reach out to the townsfolk and observing their reaction, and I saw the conflict coming when he set out to rebuild the Baptist church that had been torn down by a storm.

Father Tardone (F. Murray Abraham), the priest at the local Catholic church, soon becomes suspicious, especially when people start joining Joshua in his work and especially when Joshua demonstrates some supernatural abilities. Father Tardone fears that Joshua is about to start a cult of some sorts. After confronting Joshua, he takes his frustration all the way to Vatican, claiming that Joshua is leading the people astray and demanding that he is officially condemned by the church.

Like I said, I enjoyed the first part of the movie. Despite being a little slow, it held my interest and my sympathy as I wanted to see who Joshua really was and how he would win over Father Tardone (of which I was certain that he eventually would). I first thought that he was a man of God, a prophet with special anointing; then, after the healing episodes, I figured that he might be an angel. I would have gladly accepted either one. However, the story took it one step farther than that. When Joshua is summoned to Vatican, he goes, and reveals that he is actually… Jesus himself. All I could think was, "Huh?"

I wasn't prepared for such a "second coming," and it left me unsettled. I couldn't help feeling that a good story went wrong. What exactly is wrong with the premise? Well, if you know anything about Jesus's return, you know it's not how it is going to happen. The Bible tells clearly that the second coming of Christ will be a big event that is going to affect everyone, not just a short visitation. Is a short visitation still possible? Perhaps, although I think it is very unlikely.

I suppose if you look at the story from the "What if?" perspective, it's all right. Can Jesus come like this? Certainly; he is God, and he can do anything. So what if he decided to briefly visit a small town before his "big" coming? That, I believe, is what the movie is trying to show.

I enjoyed F. Murray Abraham's performance as Father Tardone. Tony Goldwyn playing Joshua is a good actor, and he did a good job as well. He is believable as Joshua, a mysterious, kind-hearted stranger… but not as Jesus.