The Book of Clarence (2023) A review by Shlomoh Sherman May 20, 2024 Read about The Book of Clarence On the Internet Movie Data Base

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The Book of Clarence (2023) Plot Synopsis: In ancient Judea, several men strive to become the Messiah. Director: Jeymes Samuel Writer: Jeymes Samuel Stars: LaKeith Stanfield, Omar SyAnna Diop Release date: January 12, 2024 (United States) Countries of origin: United States, Italy Languages: English, Spanish Filming locations: Matera, Basilicata, Italy Production companies: Legendary Entertainment, Legendary Studios, Sony Pictures Releasing Box office: Gross US & Canada: $6,132,813 Opening weekend US & Canada: $2,557,027 - Jan 14, 2024 Gross worldwide: $6,205,230 Technical specs: Runtime: 2 hours, 9 minutes Color: Color Sound Mix: Dolby Digital, Dolby Atmos Awards: - BET Award 2024 Nominee for Best Movie Motion Picture Rating (MPAA) Motion Picture Rating (MPA) Rated PG-13 for strong violence, drug use, strong language, some suggestive material, and smoking. Parents Guide: See below

Storyline: The movie description on IMDB says: "Struggling to find a better life, Clarence is captivated by the power of the rising Messiah and soon risks everything to carve a path to a divine existence." My friend Tony suggested I watch this movie although he himself found it tedious. It took me about 15 minutes to get into it but once I began watching, I committed myself to watching the whole thing. The film makes me think of Eddie Murphy's VAMPIRE IN BROOKLYN which begins as a comedy and then turns into an actual horror movie. The Book Of Clarence seems not to be sure of its genre. It seems to start out as a comedy but winds up being a philosophical, relgious, and political statement. Clarence is a poor and downtrodden subject of Rome, living in the province of imperial Palestine. All he wants to do is to enter a romantic relationship with his friend Varinia who has reservations about commiting to him. As the result of a negative encounter with a centurion, Clarence is made a slave and imprisoned, and thrown into the arena to engage in combat with other slaves. While a captive, he embarcks on a mission to liberate all Judean slaves. In the arena he meets and befriends Barrabas, a Judean militant and rebel. Together they plan and execute a prision breakout. During this time, several men draw a following of disciples who proclaim their leader to be the Messiah. Due to his daring in attempting to liberate slaves, crowds hail Clarence as the Messiah. But others claim Jesus to be Israel's Messiah. However it turns out that there are actually two Jesus', one black and one white. By the way, in this film, the Jews are black and the Romans are white. It reminds me of the plot twist in THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST where the Jews have American accents and the Romans have British accents. Eventually Clarence and white Jesus [also named Benjamin] are captured by the Romans and crucified. The black Jesus appears to escape their notice. While on the cross, Clarence prays "Lord forgive them. For they know not what they do", while white Jesus prays "Oh please. I've got a prayer for You, dear Heavenly Father. Please kill all these people. Fire and brimstone will suffice. But if possible, give them lava." Is this movie irreverant? Yes, but with tongue in cheek. I will not get into the denoument since I don't want to give out spoliers for anyone who may want to watch the movie. It's available on Netflix. As usual, I include in my movie reviews, at excerpt from at least one reviewer on IMDB. Here is one from 7/10's January 19, 2024 review: This movie has a lot going on. Clarence, a non-believer in the messiah Jesus and a debtor, is willing to do anything for the woman he loves and his mother. With the deadline for his debt fast approaching, Clarence decides to do something drastic. Clarence declares himself a messiah and travels around Jerusalem, spreading his word of knowledge and performing "miracles." The possible conflict with the Romans and God comes with the success of being a messiah. This film is part satire, part Biblical re-enactment, and part alternate history. The satire comes from applying modern ideas, concepts, and solutions in ancient times. The Biblical re-enactment comes from many of the people from the Bible are characters in this movie and are portrayed the same way. The alternate history take is how Jesus is shown compared to other Biblical films. The movie has comedy, morality, drama, spirituality, and aspects of Christianity. The movie is broken up into parts and is a good length. This is a decent watch for anyone willing to approach history, religion, and spirituality with an open mind. KUDOS TO LaKeith Stanfield as Clarence. I don't believe I have seen this actor before. He may be more familar to black audiences. KUDOS to James McAvoy as Pontius Pilate. I loved him as the maniac serial killer in SPLIT and its sequel GLASS. KUDOS to Benedict Cumberbatch as white Jesus [Benjamin]. I best remember him in The Imitation Game where he plays the English mathematical genius Alan Turing who tries to crack the German Enigma code.

Trivia: Several actors in this film also starred in writer/director Jeymes Samuel Netflix movie "The Harder They Fall" (2021): Lakieth Stanfield [Clarence/Thomas], RJ Cyler [Elijah] & Chase Dillon [Cabbage]. Several actors in this film played characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe or other Marvel related properties: Benedict Cumberbatch [Benjamin] is Dr. Strange, both James McAvoy [Pontius Pilot] & Omar Sy [Barabas] play in X-Men films as Professor Xavier & Bishop respectively & Alfre Woodward [Virgin Mary] had 2 separate Marvel related roles, first as Black Mariah in "Luke Cage" & as Miriam Sharpe in "Captain America: Civil War". This is the fourth time Benedict Cumberbatch and James McAvoy have starred in the same film after Starter for 10 (2006), Atonement (2007), and The Bubble (2022) though in the last one Cumberbatch makes a digital cameo. As Clarence and Elijah leave after their first visit to see Jedediah, one of Jedediah's guards yells, "Get out!" This is a reference to LaKeith Stanfield's role in "Get out." Goofs: Clarence is challenged about whether he believes in the Immaculate Conception. Most likely the screenwriter meant the virgin birth. Immaculate Reception refers to Mary's own conception and was developed by theologians centuries after the time period of the movie. Soundtracks: .Jeezu Written and produced by Jeymes Samuel, Performed by Jeymes Samuel featuring Adekunle Gold, Courtesy of Geneva Club Adekunle Gold appears courtesy of Def Jam Records, a division of Universal Music Group .Hallelujah Heaven Dub Written, produced and performed by Jeymes Samuel Courtesy of Geneva Club .All About You Dub Written, produced and performed by Jeymes Samuel Courtesy of Geneva Club .Godqueen Dub Written, produced and performed by Jeymes Samuel Courtesy of Geneva Club .Forever Written by Jeymes Samuel and Jay-Z (as Shawn Carter) Performed by Jeymes Samuel featuring Jay-Z Courtesy of Geneva Club - Jay-Z appears courtesy of S. Carter Enterprises .Varinia Written and produced by Jeymes Samuel Performed by Jeymes Samuel featuring Terry Callier Courtesy of Geneva Club - Terry Callier appears courtesy of Mr Bongo Records .I Believe in Miracles (Extended Version) Written by Mark Capanni and Bobby Taylor Performed by The Jackson Sisters Courtesy of Republic Records Under license from Universal Music Enterprises .World Outside Your Rainbow Written, produced and performed by Jeymes Samuel Courtesy of Geneva Club .Sacred Love Written, produced and performed by Jeymes Samuel Arranged and conducted by Ben Foster Courtesy of Geneva Club .Magdalene Written and produced by Jeymes Samuel Performed by Jeymes Samuel featuring Alice Smith Courtesy of Geneva Club .Nights Over Egypt Written by Cynthia Biggs (as Cynthia DeMari Biggs El) and Dexter Wansel Performed by The Jones Girls Courtesy of Philadelphia International Records By arrangement with Sony Music Entertainment .Champagne Written and produced by Jeymes Samuel Performed by Jeymes Samuel featuring Jorja Smith Courtesy of Geneva Club - Jorja Smith appears courtesy of FAMM Limited .Dear Heaven Written, produced and performed by Jeymes Samuel Arranged and conducted by Ben Foster Courtesy of Geneva Club .Nazarene Written, produced and performed by Jeymes Samuel Arranged and conducted by Ben Foster Courtesy of Geneva Club

PARENTS GUIDE FOR THE BOOK OF CLARENCE (2023) Certification: MPAA Rated PG-13 for strong violence, drug use, strong language, some suggestive material, and smoking. Certifications: Brazil:14  Canada:14A (Alberta)  Canada:14A (Ontario)  Germany:12  Italy:T  Netherlands:16  United Kingdom:15  United States:PG-13 (certificate #54256) SEX & NUDITY: None. There is a kissing scene that lasts about 10 seconds. Leading up to this scene there is a lot of slow, semi-seductive dancing that happens. VIOLENCE & GORE: Moderate. An adultress has stones thrown at her and there is some blood. A man is whipped repeatedly. He is then nailed to a cross. There is lots of blood. PROFANITY: Moderate. 1 f-bomb (Motherf**kker) 225 swear words! Including f***k and the n-word. ALCOHOL, DRUGS & SMOKING: Moderate. Cannabis and opium smoking. FRIGHTENING & INTENSE SCENES. Moderate.

The Book of Clarence (2023) Top cast: LaKeith Stanfield Clarence Omar ... Sy Barabbas Anna Diop ... Varinia RJ Cyler ... Elijah David Oyelowo ... John the Baptist Micheal Ward ... Judas Iscariot Alfre Woodard ... Virgin Mary Teyana Taylor ... Mary Magdalene Caleb McLaughlin ... Dirty Zeke Marianne Jean-Baptiste ... Amina Eric Kofi Abrefa ... Jedediah the Terrible James McAvoy ... Pontius Pilate Benedict Cumberbatch ... Benjamin [white Jesus] Chase Dillon ... Cabbage Nicholas Pinnock ... Jesus Babs Olusanmokun ... Asher the Torturer Chidi Ajufo ... Goliath Tuwaine Barrett ... Samson