‘Book Of Clarence Review: A 13th Apostle Rewrites Biblical History, With LaKeith Stanfield In The Lead

British musician and director James Samuel wanted to create a biblical epic like “Ben-Hur” with a Bible-adjacent “Spartacus” parallel sequence, but on his own terms. The result was a satirical/serious/naughty/sweet hybrid called The Book of Clarence, starring Lakeith Stanfield as a drug dealer in Jerusalem in 33 AD.

The trailer looks like an action comedy, but it's not, I thought there was action (buggy racing in the streets, gladiator leg grinding) and comedy . Does it work? I would say no, almost at the end. The incredible tonal shifts range from rampant violence to gags like the light bulb that appears above Clarence's head when his final inspiration hits him.

Broke and threatened with death by local loan sharks, Clarence struggles to live a simple life as a "punk marijuana dealer" with his friend Elijah (RJ Siler). She cares for her mother (Marianne Jean-Baptiste), abandoned by her twin brother Clarence Thomas (also played by Stanfield, but not so different).

Thomas has important business to attend to: as one of Jesus' twelve apostles, he awaits a biblical destiny. Clarence attempts to join the circle, ultimately deciding to become a version of himself, performing false miracles and gathering acolytes for prestige and profit.

It's a mature and satirical premise, but The Book of Clarence demands more. Filmed in Matera, Italy, where Mel Gibson filmed The Passion of the Christ (and His Knives and His Whips), Samuel delivers his verbal humor and anachronisms in a story that strips away the spiritual story of a man who doesn't is never taken for granted. However. To become someone

Anna Diop, who stars in the supernatural thriller The Nanny, plays Lavinia, the sister of a local gangster; The tentative but palpable relationship she has with Clarence is at the heart of the film. Once Clarence's popularity sparks the interest of Pontius Pilate (James McAvoy), the film's gentle intentions falter in several unpleasant ways. Would the film have better shown Gibson's blood in the climactic scene? Is it wise for us to follow the cries of despair and sadness of those who died on the cross?

The cast includes Omar Sy as Barabbas, the nobleman's celibate slave, whom Clarence frees in his first act of bravery; David Oyelowo as Jean-Baptiste; And the handsome and reliable Alfre Woodard as the Virgin Mary, who in a comic piece discusses the whole question of the virgin birth with a perplexed Clarence. Teyana Taylor, after her incredible performance in A Thousand and One, misses her role as the fiery Mary Magdalene.

As for Stanfield, he is a thoughtful and very charismatic actor in almost any context, even if this context is particularly demanding. His very discreet performance manages to smooth out the energy of the film. On the other hand, could a classical artist trained in the “biblical epic technique” make the Book of Clarence more interesting or poignant? Who wants to say it? I'm everywhere in a film that's everywhere.

Samuel's first film, the 2021 western The Harder They Fall, was also more successful overall. It also benefits from Samuel's phenomenal soundtrack. Samuels, whose musical stage name is The Bullitts, systematically introduces his latest films with a dozen or two songs in six flexible and complementary styles, here with a song with Jay-Z, elsewhere with an Old Hollywood orchestra or a solo by guitar at any time. This. the director can. learn to match your musical tastes. And if we produce a cinematic tonal range and control suited to those voices, it becomes even harder for us to give in to what he does next.

The Book of Clarence - 2.5 stars (out of 4)

MPA Rating: PG-13 (for intense violence, drug use, profanity, inappropriate content and smoking)

Duration: 2h05

How to watch: Premieres in theaters January 11

Michael Phillips, Tribune critic.

mjphillips@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @phillitribune

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