Somewhere between the sacred and profane, comedy, drama, and satire comes The Book of Clarence, a retelling of The Greatest Story Ever Told that arrives in theaters appropriate between Christmas and Easter. Directed by rising auteur Jeymes Samuel, the film takes an audacious approach to the Bible-era story, but ultimately falls short of its potential.
The Book of Clarence boasts a remarkable cast, including LaKeith Stanfield, James McAvoy, Anna Diop, Benedict Cumberbatch, Alfre Woodard, and David Oyelowo. The film careens through different tones and sentiments, sometimes silly and other times horrific. Samuel claims he wants viewers to have a wicked good time, but the result is a muddled and unholy mess.
Set in 33 AD Jerusalem, Stanfield portrays Clarence, a street hustler with a penchant for getting high and dreaming up get-rich-quick schemes. He’s infatuated with a local beauty but finds himself indebted to her loansharking brother. Clarence’s reputation as the village’s mischief maker precedes him, even his mother believes he needs to straighten up. It’s clear from the beginning that Clarence’s story will end tragically, as the film opens with an image of him on a cross.
Clarence is skeptical of God’s existence and dismisses the local figure named Jesus as a mere trickster. He attempts to become the 13th apostle to repay his debts but resorts to impersonating a messiah, performing fake miracles for payment. While Samuel’s creative ideas shine through in moments, such as a chariot race paying homage to iconic films like Ben Hur and Fast & Furious, and a visually stunning depiction of the Last Supper, the film lacks cohesiveness. Samuel’s attempts to mix stilted language with modern slang only add to the confusion. It’s unclear whether the film is meant to honor, update, or mock biblical epics.
While the portrayal of the Jesus story through a Black lens holds immense promise, the film fails to deliver a clear message. The abundance of messiah figures in the story raises questions about the filmmaker’s intentions. Is this a critique of celebrity culture or a comment on entertainment? Does it suggest that faith can be found even in those who lack it? Or is it simply an exploration of society’s tendency to reject and harm those who try to save us? Unfortunately, the film never quite answers these questions, leaving viewers perplexed.
Samuel does manage to make powerful social commentary, particularly when depicting white Roman police engaging in stop-and-frisk practices on Black Jerusalem residents. However, he squanders this potential by introducing incongruous elements like a swanky dance party and comedic moments surrounding the crucifixion. The film includes scenes of brutal violence alongside light-hearted gags, resulting in a jarring and disjointed viewing experience.
The Book of Clarence stands as a mind-melting piece of filmmaking, drawing inspiration from classics like Monty Python’s Life of Brian and The Ten Commandments. Matera, an Italian city that previously served as the filming location for The Passion of the Christ, once again doubles as Jerusalem. The film’s daring elements and an exciting soundtrack featuring more than a dozen songs by Samuel, including a collaboration with Jay-Z, make it worth a watch. However, it falls short of its lofty ambitions, leaving audiences with more questions than answers.
The Book of Clarence, a Columbia Pictures/Legendary Entertainment release, hits theaters on January 12. The film carries a PG-13 rating due to strong violence, drug use, strong language, suggestive material, and smoking. With a runtime of 136 minutes, this audacious Bible-era story may not fully satisfy all viewers.
