Blue Like Jazz starts
strong—you begin watching and think, “This is going to be great.” But then it
carries on with weak acting from some of the cast and a very weak script that
makes you want to get up and walk away. The movie’s message, however, is good,
as it explores themes of commitment and self-discovery.
The message is
relatable. Many people go through phases where they conceal parts of their
identity to fit in or avoid standing out. The movie’s story centers on that
struggle—someone trying to be part of the world while grappling with their
beliefs and values.
Based on a book
of the same name by Donald Miller, the book is a semi-autobiographical work
subtitled Non-Religious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality. I haven’t read
the book, but from the movie, I believe it’s named Blue Like Jazz because
of the protagonist’s father’s love for jazz and the fact that he was the one
who pointed the protagonist toward a path filled with doubt.
The book and
movie follow the life of Don, a nineteen-year-old sophomore at a Texas junior
college. Don moves to the Pacific Northwest, where he learns that holding
certain beliefs can make you an outcast. To escape his background and way of
life, Don does everything possible to fit in with the cool kids—even denying
parts of himself.
Before watching,
I did a little research to know what I was getting into. Some people say the
movie is a Christian film, but the director claims it’s not—just a regular
movie with religious undertones. After seeing it, I wonder why people didn’t
view it the same way as the director. Interestingly, the movie came to life
through contributions from fans of the book (and others) on Kickstarter. The
names of the contributors are listed in the credits at the end of the film.
In conclusion, the movie’s message is thought-provoking, as I mentioned earlier, but the execution feels off. The director seems to be trying to balance a faith-based story with worldly additions to make it appear more secular, hoping in my view to make money. He includes controversial elements like cursing and homosexuality, knowing these topics spark varied opinions. This movie could have been better, but since I haven’t read the book, I can’t say whether the story strays from the original. What I can say, though, is that I didn’t particularly enjoy this film.
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