Jesus' Son
In this independent drama, a young man tries to find himself in the early 1970s as he wades through a swamp of heroin addiction. FH (Billy Crudup) is a well-intentioned but weak-willed man whose propensity for messing up his life has earned him his nickname, short for "F--khead." FH's problems with drugs begin in earnest when he falls in love with Michelle (Samantha Morton), a beautiful but emotionally unsettled woman addicted to heroin. FH soon finds himself drawn to the needle, and the couple drifts from one incident to the next, some funny and some horrifying. Michelle rescues FH from overdoses on a few occasions, although their friend Wayne (Denis Leary) isn't so lucky. After a few years, Michelle becomes pregnant and has an abortion in Chicago shortly before leaving FH and journeying to Mexico. While heading South in hopes of finding her, FH falls into a relationship with an older woman, Mira (Holly Hunter), and becomes involved in an auto wreck; his brush with death, and the opportunity to save a child's life, lead him into rehab and a chance to straighten out his life. The American debut from New Zealand director Alison Maclean and based on the novel by Denis Johnson, Jesus' Son also features Dennis Hopper, Will Patton, and Jack Black. more..
Director: Alison Maclean
Starring: Billy Crudup,Samantha Morton, Denis Leary, Jack Black, Holly Hunter
The latter element joins with Crudup's excellent acting to make this deliberately scruffy tale a worthwhile experience if you can handle its explicitly sordid subplots.
A mesmerizing film spinning from hilarity to heartbreak.
Jesus' Son surprises me with moments of wry humor, poignancy, sorrow and wildness. It has a sequence as funny as any I've seen this year.
A story of faith and redemption, as viewed through the blurry and bloodshot eyes of a young man.
Another grotty drama about junkie love? Well, yes...I make an exception for Jesus' Son.
Best Foreign Independent Film - English Language
British Independent Film Awards (2000)
Alison Maclean
Director's View Film Festival (2001)
Best Male Lead
Independent Spirit Awards (2001)
Billy Crudup
Paris Film Festival (2000)
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role, Drama
Satellite Awards (2001)
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