(spoiler free)
It’s rare to experience a film based on themes of religion and faith that isn’t one of those terrible Christian evangelistic tools, of which there are too many to name. However, legendary director Martin Scorsese achieved this rare feat last year with his deep exploration of faith in his religious epic, ‘Silence’, one of the first films to actually make a story about religion engaging to watch and worthy of a big screen release. Whilst new Netflix drama ‘Come Sunday’ hasn’t received the big screen treatment it’s premise at least offered the potential to create a stimulating celluloid story.
The film follows Carlton Pearson (Chiwetel Ejiofor) an American Pentecostal minister who was excommunicated after preaching on his belief in universal reconciliation. This is a train of thought in Christian theology which suggests that sinners do not need to declare Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour in order to avoid Hell. Instead because of the divine love and mercy of God all people will be saved from an eternity in Hell and will enjoy reconciliation through God. This is a doctrine largely rejected by the Christian religion as the more popular train of thought suggests that only those who accept Jesus Christ into their lives will eventually enter heaven.
If you’ve ever been to a church service you’ll know they aren’t particularly fast paced and the same can be said for ‘Come Sunday’. Although just count yourself lucky that it’s based around the Pentecostal denomination, one of the more lively groups of Christians. However, what the film lacks in pace it makes up for through it’s truly fascinating narrative. Much of the film is made up of Pearson preaching and the content of his sermons is consistently interesting. Furthermore, the reactions of those on screen listening to his words give his words even more depth as we witness how they affect those hearing them first hand. What’s truly refreshing about this picture though is it’s completely unbiased nature. This isn’t a film advocating universal reconciliation nor is it a film concerned with the more accepted teachings of the Christian faith. It’s not afraid to highlight the contradictions found in the Bible, to showcase the flaws in how churches are run or the disagreements amongst different Christian groups. As a result it’s simply a film that wants to tell a story, free from agenda.
This is helped by the superb cast in place lead by the brilliant Chiwetel Ejiofor who you’re immediately able to accept in this role thanks to his convincing performance. Once more it’s a much welcomed rise in quality from the performances most Christian themed films produce, however it’s quickly apparent that ‘Come Sunday’ is much more of a ‘Silence’ than a ‘God’s Not Dead’ style production. Nonetheless it’s still somewhat guilty of featuring cliched characters; the pastor’s neglected wife, the gay HIV sufferer etc. However, these cliches are executed well both in terms of the writing and those performers portraying them; Condola Rashad & Lakeith Stanfield. They never feel over done or dramatised to a detrimental level so all in all this element never detracts from the film. Ultimately they only further contribute to the wonderfully thought provoking nature of the narrative.
Without a pre-exsisting interest in Christian faith or religion ‘Come Sunday’ might be a tedious watch. Although if any film was to spark an interest in this subject this new Netflix drama could be the one to do it. The compelling central debate is framed by the well crafted human drama unfolding around it combining together to tell a thoroughly engaging true story. Therefore it would be fair to say that ‘Come Sunday’ is somewhat responsible for a revival in faith when it comes to the Netflix Original.
Written by Hamish Calvert
Rating – 7.5/10
Question: What’s your favourite film that has strong religious themes?
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