I finally watched the What Would Jesus Buy? movie. Wow! That was an amazing movie. Just amazing. I loved it.
From the film’s site:
“What Would Jesus Buy? follows Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping Gospel Choir as they go on a cross-country mission to save Christmas from the Shopocalypse: the end of mankind from consumerism, over-consumption and the fires of eternal debt!
From producer Morgan Spurlock (SUPER SIZE ME) and director Rob VanAlkemade comes a serious docu-comedy about the commercialization of Christmas. Bill Talen (aka Reverend Billy) was a lost idealist who hitchhiked to New York City only to find that Times Square was becoming a mall. Spurred on by the loss of his neighborhood and inspired by the sidewalk preachers around him, Bill bought a collar to match his white caterer’s jacket, bleached his hair and became the Reverend Billy of the Church of Stop Shopping. Since 1999, Reverend Billy has gone from being a lone preacher with a portable pulpit preaching on subways, to the leader of a congregation and a movement whose numbers are well into the thousands.
Through retail interventions, corporate exorcisms, and some good old-fashioned preaching, Reverend Billy reminds us that we have lost the true meaning of Christmas. What Would Jesus Buy? is a journey into the heart of America – from exorcising the demons at the Wal-Mart headquarters to taking over the center stage at the Mall of America and then ultimately heading to the Promised Land … Disneyland.
Will we be led like Sheeple to the Christmas slaughter, or will we find a new way to give a gift this Christmas? What Would Jesus Buy? may just be the divine intervention we’ve all been searching for.
The Shopocalypse is upon us … Who will be $aved?”
There were parts in this movie that made me laugh so hard my stomach hurt. But there were other parts that had me tear up. There will be spoilers in this review but it came out in 2007 so I figure that’s ok. The film basically follows his group around while they head across country to spread their gospel. Interspersed is footage of average shoppers and authors weighing in on Christmas and debt.
I knew about Reverend Billy’s activism beforehand. His mission has really grown-now he has a full choir and band that accompany him. It was a treat to see the behind the scenes practice of the gospel choir. The shopping sins confession booth was brilliant.
Maybe it’s because I was raised in a very religious town in the Midwest that I have a particular love of Rev. Billy’s character. I am so entertained by the parody. The way he dances on stage, the way the gospel “amens” when he preaches, the way he bugs out his eyes when talking about the Anti-Christ (in his case Mickey Mouse). Their gospel songs felt so good to listen to-uplifting music and energy with an uplifting message. Though he’s parodying televangelists he’s not insulting Christianity. In fact, the group performs at many churches on their tour. Their message of making Christmas about love and family instead of trying to buy love through gifts speaks to the heart of many religions.
There were bittersweet moments in the film. Billy’s wife laments about the exhausting schedule and wonders if they’re changing anyone’s mind. I have felt that. In the beginning of the Iraq War Mr. Radical and I packed our bags and hit the road for protests. I know that feeling of exhaustion, of wondering if you’re really making a difference.
But the group’s mood bounced back the closer they got to Christmas. There’s a scene where Rev. Billy baptizes a child outside of a Staples store. He prayed for the baby to grow up free from the trappings of over-consumption and to live his mantra of “stop shopping and start living”. That scene really sums up their activism. What starts off as a funny scene quickly turns into something deeply meaningful. It made me cry and I don’t even like babies.
Another touching moment was a scene with a homeless man. Many of the people interviewed talked about the need to buy buy buy for Christmas. One woman declared she was doing it for her children and didn’t care if she went broke. But the homeless man was just thankful to have a room at the homeless shelter for Christmas. It was another teary moment. I think we can all get caught up in materialism. The other day I was pouting that I couldn’t buy all the art supplies and yarn I wanted in one purchase. But I have a roof over my head and people in my life that love me. The scene with the homeless man really touched me and was a good reminder of the things that really matter.
Now don’t get the impression that this is a sappy movie. Far from it. There’s a lot of humor. There’s a scene where the group go caroling in a fancy neighborhood. They sing anti-consumer songs that have a Christmas jingle. The homeowners reactions were hilarious. Some like it, some were befuddled. There’s one house where the mom starts to get into it but the kids eyes are wide. It’s like you’re seeing their minds getting opened right there.
Billy and gang go to Wal-mart headquarters to exercise the evil there. First they have a funeral for small town America and then perform the exorcism on the Wal-mart home headquarters sign. It was a funny moment. But at the same time there’s a compelling, real world point. That’s what I love about Rev. Billy. He makes you laugh but he also makes you think. In many ways he reminds me of Abbey Hoffman, one of my heroes.
The Mall of America segment was hilarious. Billy and the choir ride escalators while singing and then take over a stage and start performing. Security arrives to usher them out but not before onlookers start to laugh and clap. I have to see them in person someday!
The climax of the film comes as they descend on Disneyland. Oh it’s wonderful to watch. How powerful to see them going into the “belly of the beast” to preach that materialism doesn’t buy happiness. There were several scenes where Disney’s connection to slave/sweatshop labor was revealed-always a good reminder.
A good thing about renting this film is the bonus features. There’s a scene where the group goes to sing for postal workers because they have to bear the weight of the consumer holiday. One of the women says they took away the stress of the Christmas holiday for the day and that she hadn’t laughed that hard in a long time.
That’s the perfect kind of activism-entertaining people while spreading the message.
I highly recommend this movie. It’s definitely one of my all time faves. I loved it!