The Jesus Guy

For nearly two decades, Carl James Joseph (aka “the Jesus Guy,” “What's Your Name,” and “Carl”), a generally placid, self-styled, itinerant Christian evangelist (espousing the Catholic faith, although not always with the blessings of church authorities) has been roaming the land barefoot. His robes and Bible are his only possessions, and while he sports a traditional Jesus-like appearance, he denies being a Christ stand-in/prophet/miracle worker (St. Francis of Assisi might be a more apt comparison). Without an obvious pulpit of his own, he's followed by sympathetic filmmaker Sean Tracey during 2007, through his “pilgrimage” of lodging with welcoming strangers, addressing religious groups, and occasionally being hassled by police or naysayers. Tracey interviews some of the latter, including a disillusioned friend and former host (named Mary, ironically enough) who judges Joseph to be an ordinary, too fallible man, self-centered and media aware; but even she concludes Christ is working through him to spread the word of God (on the bonus commentary track Joseph explains his seeming contradictions and mildly complains the movie doesn't show the preaching that comprises most of his ministry). Some viewers may indeed find this a transformative film, along the lines of the Joshua faith-based novels of Joseph Girzone. Other DVD extras include a Q&A session. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (C. Cassady)