A One Mann’s Movies review of “The Book of Clarence” (2024).
With his last film – “The Harder They Fall” – writer/director Jeymes Samuel took a familiar genre, the western, and ‘blackened’ it. With a cast composed almost entirely of people of colour and a quirky score, from Samuel himself, it was something a bit different.
Now, three years later, he applies that same formula to another genre: this time, the woefully ignored (in recent times) ‘biblical epic’. The movie’s title card might be straight from “The Robe” or “The Greatest Story Ever Told”. But there the similarity ends.
I missed this one when it was released a few months ago, but glad to catch up on it on a recent BA flight.
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
Plot Summary:
Wheeler-dealer Clarence (LaKeith Stanfield) is on the outside looking in as a man called Jesus (Nicholas Pinnock) makes waves in the community. Although Clarence is loved by his mother (Marianne Jean-Baptiste), he is generally seen as a low-life crook by the Jerusalem city-folk, including his twin-brother Thomas (also Stanfield), one of Jesus’s disciples. Although a non-believer, Clarence sees the chance to make a fast-buck by also claiming to be the Messiah.
Certification:
UK: 15; US: PG-13. (From the BBFC web site: “Strong language, drug misuse, bloody images”.)
Talent:
Starring: LaKeith Stanfield, Omar Cy, David Oyelowo, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Anna Diop, R. J. Cyler, Micheal Ward, Alfre Woodard, Teyana Taylor, Eric Kofi Abrefa, Benedict Cumberbatch, James McAvoy, Nicholas Pinnock.
Directed by: Jeymes Samuel.
Written by: Md Minhaj Miah & Jeymes Samuel.
Twitter Handle: #TheBookOfClarence.
Running Time: 2h 9m.
“The Book of Clarence” Summary:
Positives:
- An endlessly innovative and unique take on the biblical epic.
- An impressive ensemble cast led by the ever-magnificent LaKeith Stanfield.
- Moving, cuttingly incisive and at times hilariously funny.
Negatives:
- Sometimes it goes a bit OTT.
Review of “The Book of Clarence”:
“He’s not the Messiah.. he’s a very naughty boy”
We are obviously in “Life of Brian” territory here, but without the Pythonesque humour. Clarence is Brian, albeit here forcing himself into the position of the false prophet rather than haplessly falling into the role as Brian did. As in “Life of Brian”, the good work of Jesus is going on in the background and, as for that earlier classic (I never understood the backlash) is treated very respectfully. I’m not a religious man, but some of these scenes are really quite moving.
Clever Scripting
The script is endlessly inventive in charting Clarence’s story arc from a mischievous chancer to a man genuinely seeking to make his mark on life. An act of generosity he makes mid-film, while putting himself in mortal danger, is truly touching.
There are some incisive jabs about modern day race relations quietly sneaked in. Clarence and Elijah (R.J. Cyler) and held for a ‘stop and search’ by the Romans with two dodgy looking drawings of the wanted felons: but, hey, they are black right?!
The biggest laugh of the film for me came in a crucifixion scene where Benjamin (Benedict Cumberbatch) is moaning about being painted as he hangs there dying. The painting is of the traditional white Saviour hanging on the cross: the image beloved of churches around the world. An easy mistake to make, right? Surely Jesus wasn’t black?!
In another superb scene, Mother Mary (Alfre Woodard) and Joseph (Brian Bovell) are being quizzed by a disbelieving Clarence about the holy birth and about the ‘Magic Circle’ tricks that Jesus has clearly pulled in order to acquire the lucrative #1 slot in the Messiah charts!
Outrageously talented cast
The ensemble cast is superb (nomination worthy please, SAG Award committee).
- LaKeith Stanfield again shines, and his scenes in the finale of the film, although traumatic, are some of his very best;
- Omar Sy is also splendid as the ‘indestructible’ gladiator Barabbas;
- James McAvoy has enormous fun as Pontus Pilate, the local Roman law-enforcer;
- Benedict Cumberbatch is virtually unrecognisable until later in three film when he gets a wash and brush up!
- The girl-power is led by the wonderful Alfre Woodard as Mary… it’s little more than a cameo but so impressive. Marianne Jean-Baptiste as Clarence’s mother also shines and the Senegalese actress Anna Diop (who was also in “Us”) makes for a powerfully exotic love interest for Clarence.
Occasionally, the pudding gets over-egged
As a criticism, I thought it occasionally over-stretched a bit and went off the rails. For example, there’s a dance sequence at one point which is a bit distracting and should have been left for Samuel’s Afro-American take on the Bollywood musical!
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Summary Thoughts on “The Book of Clarence”
This is a genuinely interesting movie: quirky and full of innovation. Looking on IMDB, I was astonished by two things: firstly that it only has an IMDB score of 5.7 … it’s way better than that imho; and secondly – and even more shockingly – it has only made just over $6 million in box-office worldwide since its January release. Against a $40 million production budget, that makes it a massive flop, no doubt making it much harder for Jayne’s Samuel to make similarly quirky films in the future. A crying shame.
Where to Watch it (Powered by Justwatch)
Trailer for “The Book of Clarence”:
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntNS-ANoMyM .
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