The Book of Clarence Movie Review

Is “The Book of Clarence” a sacrilegious Biblical Stoner Comedy that suffers from a crisis of faith?

Director Jeymes Samuel on the set of THE BOOK OF CLARENCE

“The Book of Clarence” has received a lot of attention and makes a bold statement being released between Christmas and Easter. I’m hearing a lot of questions about this movie and the two big ones are “Is the Book of Clarence” Biblically accurate and “Is the Book of Clarence” Sacrilegious? The Book Of Clarence is a mind-melting story and shares some DNA with Monty Python’s “Life of Brian” and “The Ten Commandments” The soundtrack of the film has such a vibe and I enjoyed how the music fits into the setting and story.

The Book of Clarence is written and directed by British musician turned-filmmaker Jeymes Samuel. Jaymes describes his new film as providing “historical context” for contemporary Christian faith while at the same time offering audiences a “wicked dope time.” He does both but they don’t happen at the same time.

Clarence (LaKeith Stanfield), Dirty Zeke (Caleb McLaughlin) and Elijah (R.J. Cyler) in THE BOOK OF CLARENCE

The story follows a down on his luck LaKeith Stanfield losing a chariot race against Mary Magdalene played by Teyana Taylor. As a result of his most recent loss, he ends up in debt to a local mob boss and needs to come up with a way to get out of debt and change his stars. This movie takes place during Ancient Jerusalem, roughly 33 AD. Clarence decides to find religion and become the 13th apostle to escape his dept. That doesn’t work for several reasons but mostly because of Clarence’s twin brother the Apostle Thomas. Thomas see’s the deceit and Clarence has to come up with a plan B, which is to pretend to be the Messiah.

Pontius Pilate (James McAvoy) and Clarence (LaKeith Stanfield) in THE BOOK OF CLARENCE

Is The Book of Clarence Historically Accurate?

The Book of Clarence is takes great liberty with regards to the depiction of historical biblical figures. The movie’s introduction to the apostles depicts them as beloved celebrities by the people of Jerusalem. Clarence is not a historical character and is completely fictionalized written as the twin brother of St. Thomas the Apostle.  Clarence is a street hustler who’s story directly interacts and interferes with the historic depiction we know of Jesus. The Book of Clarence focuses on Clarences struggles and redemption, it appears that the choices that Clarence makes in the movie spares Jesus the crucifixion. So it’s pretty easy to say that this movie is not historically accurate.

Is The Book of Clarence Sacrilegious?

This one is pretty easy for me to answer, to fall into the category of sacrilege you must violate or misuse what is regarded as sacred. Now for me, the story of Jesus and his sacrifice is sacred.  “The Book of Clarence” takes a variety of liberties with the story of Jesus and his apostles. The story of Clarence the character is a good story about finding your way and ultimate redemption through struggle, but it does step into Sacrilegious territory for me. The alternate story that is told in “The Book of Clarence” does not align with the historical account of Jesus the disciples.  The movie did a great job of helping us relate to the world around ancient Jerusalem, but ultimately the character depiction and stories do fall into sacrilegious for me.

The one thing that this movie does amazingly well during the “happy times” is the vibe. The music and characters feel extremely relatable. The soundtrack and the cinematography are incredible and the movie has a great vibe during the “happy times.” Overall I give this movie 4 out of 8 stars.

Elijah (R.J. Cyler) and Clarence (LaKeith Stanfield) in THE BOOK OF CLARENCE

“The Book of Clarence,” a Columbia Pictures/Legendary Entertainment release that hits theaters January 12, is rated PG-13 for strong violence, drug use, strong language, some suggestive material, and smoking.