Jesus Meets the Gay Man

The thoughtful and funny documentary Jesus Meets the Gay Man begins with the observation that nowhere in the New Testament does Jesus have anything to say about life on the LGBTQ spectrum. Filmmakers Jean-Claude Lafond and Timothy F. H. Doucette take that as an invitation to speculate on what the Messiah might have said to a gay man if they’d met. A series of often quite funny comic sketches address that potential encounter in an irreverent yet also innocent way, while other skits reflect on Christ’s penchant for miracles and hanging out with the lower classes. The best piece here is actually very sweet: Jesus asking the apostles (as he does in scripture) who they think he is. The ensuing conversation--lubricated with wine--reimagines Christ and his posse as bonding bros. Between the laughs are more serious reflections on what it means to reconcile negative views of the LGBTQ community with the desire of many of their members to be part of a Christian church. Extras include additional interviews and deleted scenes. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (T. Keogh)