I just saw this little charmer under the title of
WELCOME BACK MISS MARY on Showtime ON DEMAND, I just wanted to kill some time & watch anything before my main film tonight.
This was a nice surprise, with basically a little or no name cast, this is a very well thought out screenplay, The author seemed to hit all the right notes, in what could have been a sloppy cliché ridden script. OH yes there still are clichés, but handled deftly, the acting is a pure delight by all the large cast. I know I want to see some of these actors again.
Next I have to look this film up to see when & if it was a theatre release, & when it will be on Showtime again, as I will want to record & keep this one.
Rating *** (out of 4) 88 points (out of 100) IMDb 8 (out of 10)
Jesus, Mary and Joey
2005
Action / Comedy / Romance
Jesus, Mary and Joey
2005
Action / Comedy / Romance
Keywords: cancerfaithnew loveunexpected happiness
Plot summary
Aimless 20-something Joey Vitello still lives at home with his colorful Italian-American family when he is reunited with childhood schoolmate Mary O'Callahan. Once mocked as 'Scary Mary,' this ugly duckling has blossomed into an irresistible beauty who has returned to the old neighborhood after an intense bout with cancer. When Joey learns that her cure was the result of a miracle, friendship turns to romance as she educates him on the road to the Almighty. Joey challenges his family's faith with his newfound revelations, and chaos ensues as they all search for their own miracles.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
720p.WEB 1080p.WEBMovie Reviews
A thoroughly enjoyable film
Should be labeled "As shown in jr high church camp"'
It's about on the level of "Pat Boone talks to Teens about S-E-X" and "Tough Guys Find God".
There was a story here. A tranche of Providence Italianosity. But those bits are just filler for the real story which is, I don't know, "Jesus Saves".
Imagine a Catholic Woody Allen making his 1st HS film. He shows some family interaction (pretty good),then characters find a way to talk about whether or not god exists and question their own existences; introduce a sub-plot about the family store being sold (this is OK),then characters find a way to talk about whether or not god exists and question their own existences; the once ugly female lead is now a babe, then characters find a way to talk about whether or not god exists and question their own existences; keep repeating.
The script is so contrived that it hurts your teeth; the characters and actors are bland; the story is right out of "Ministers talk to young people about STDs". Touchstone sucks and it's way better than this pap.
It's awful and really should be a 1 or 0.
A very pleasant surprise
I had never heard of this movie and happened upon it. I was strangely drawn to it and found it very sweet and endearing. I enjoyed the storyline and was moved by the fact that, although the characters are all different and at times argumentative, they learn to accept one another and their differences. As a Chrsitian, I enjoyed the fact that we can embrace our differences; we have the same common goal. I thought it was definitely watchable and hope to see it again and share it with others. It is very refreshing to see a movie written by a young man, that contains this sort of content. I also appreciated that he didn't write the characters to seem perfect, yet flawed as they are, they are lovable.