Blue Like Jazz (2012)

Critic Reviews

• Scott Bowles, USA Today

  Just earnest enough to blend its religious theme with a beer-chugging hero for a surprisingly contemporary look at faith.

• Eric D. Snider, Film.com

  The film's heart is in the right place; it just can't make the rest of its parts function smoothly.

• Ben Sachs, Chicago Reader

  An uncommon thoughtfulness about spiritual issues distinguishes this otherwise generic coming-of-age story.

• Farran Smith Nehme, New York Post

  "Blue Like Jazz" is a pleasant film, as well-intentioned as the character Don himself, but it ducks the thorniest questions of faith and dogma while patting itself on the back for realism.

• Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post

  It is - somewhat surprisingly, given the heavy-handed subject - neither sanctimonious nor preachy.

• David Lewis, San Francisco Chronicle

  It tackles existential struggles that many of us grapple with - and the film industry virtually ignores - while doing so in an entertaining way.

• John Beifuss, Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)

  Unlike other 'faith-based' films, it lacks a down-on-your-knees come-to-Jesus moment, presenting its young hero as a conflicted Everyman with the same questions about 'the human dilemma' as any sensitive college freshman.

• Kelly Vance, East Bay Express

  Might make a like-minded double feature with The Way, but Miller's propaganda-lite eventually suffers in comparison.

• Jim Lane, Sacramento News & Review

  ... two-dimensional characters, trite and stilted situations, and awkward, arch dialogue.

• Jeffrey M. Anderson, Common Sense Media

  Blue Like Jazz is a coming-of-age story that lurches around in terms of character and themes, and the result is something a good deal less than it could have been.

• Nell Minow, Beliefnet

  The vocabulary of faith should not be the exclusive property of one small subset of believers; it is heartening to watch a movie that makes that point with such grace.

• James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk

  dares to confront its audience, both secular and religious, by honestly dealing with the complexities of religion, politics, and personal identity

• Jeffrey Overstreet, Looking Closer

  [It] playfully serves up more food for thought than most comedies we've seen so far this decade.

• Frank Swietek, One Guy's Opinion

  While one can applaud the desire to offer something less heavy-handed and preachy than the overtly Christian movies that have found their way to theatres in recent years, 'Blue' is too mild and muddled to carry off what it aims for.

• David Noh, Film Journal International

  School days have never been wilder onscreen than in this vividly entertaining and funny clash between a young Christian's sensibilities and the ultimate radicalization into which he is seduced.

• Todd Jorgenson, Cinemalogue.com

  ... not compelling or provocative enough to effectively translate its progressive message for a wider audience.

• Josh Hurst, Christianity Today

  Christian moviegoers will find much to challenge them, but those hoping Don's journey leads him to a clear understanding of the gospel might find it a bit unsatisfying.

• Rob Thomas, Capital Times (Madison, WI)

  "Blue Like Jazz" is a movie that apparently wants to do for Jesus what "Garden State" did for The Shins.

• Brett Michel, Boston Phoenix

  This micro-budgeted indie tries to appeal to everyone by not offending anyone... except those who like movies.

• Marjorie Baumgarten, Austin Chronicle

  The primary problem with Blue Like Jazz is that there is no believable character development.

Read all 20 critic reviews