Blue Like Jazz

Name: Blue Like Jazz
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Released: April 13, 2012
Rating: 48

2012

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Mixed or average reviews based on 14 Critic Reviews

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Generally favorable reviews based on 12 Ratings

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6.3

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6.3	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 12 Ratings

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Blue Like Jazz

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Movie Details & Credits

Roadside Attractions | Release Date: April 13, 2012 | PG-13

Summary: Blue Like Jazz follows a devout 19-year-old college student as he impulsively transfers to one of the most liberal schools in America. His new surroundings force him to confront some previously held biases and decide what it is that he truly believes. (Roadside Attractions)

Director: Steve Taylor

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy

Rating: PG-13

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Critic Reviews

Nathan Rabin

Apr 11, 2012

For all its low-key charms, the coming-of-age story risks being too Christian for secular audiences and too secular and colorful for Christian audiences: Like its spiritual seeker of a protagonist, it's caught between worlds. Read full review

David Lewis

Apr 13, 2012

Taylor's film is never boring, and it has some beautiful, thought-provoking moments. In a genre in which preaching to the choir seems to be the norm, this film is a welcome entry. Read full review

Scott Bowles

Apr 19, 2012

Just earnest enough to blend its religious theme with a beer-chugging hero for a surprisingly contemporary look at faith. Read full review

Justin Chang

Apr 9, 2012

Remains as tame in its presentation as its target audience would expect. Students drink beers on occasion, but no one is shown having sex, taking mind-altering substances or using language that would jeopardize a PG-13 rating. On the plus side, the film also abstains from any overt message-mongering. Read full review

Ty Burr

Apr 12, 2012

It does give believers and those tottering on the edge something to chew on, and it steadfastly refuses to demonize everybody else. Read full review

Benjamin Mercer

Apr 10, 2012

One only has so much patience, though, for watching Communion-wafer-thin characters caught in a liberal-arts cartoon. Read full review

David Fear

Apr 10, 2012

The movie adaptation's version of religion may be more nuanced than the usual Left Behind fire-and-brimstone sermonizing you find in much contemporary pro-Christian cinema, but it still leaves behind a sulfuric stink. Read full review

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User Reviews

Grimmster

Feb 1, 2023

Blue like jazz is one of the best Christian movies I've ever seen (The only Christian movie I've seen is this one). I really enjoyed the film and I enjoy Steve Taylor's other works in the musical industry.

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thrushjz

Apr 16, 2012

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. About 7 years ago I was Browsing through the grocery store book table and came upon a really catchy title, "Blue Like Jazz" (Non Religious thoughts on Christian Spirituality) By Donald Miller.
I watched the finished Film project based on the NYT best selling book at a preview showing last night by Director Steve Taylor at a Mall Cineplex, and I have to tell you I was blown away. There are some stellar acting performances by Marshall Allman (True Blood, Mad Men) as Don Miller, Claire Holt (Vampire Diaries) as Penny, but I particularly liked Justin Welborn's gritty and very realistic performance as the "Agnostic Pope."
This is not Your father's Christian movie by any stretch as the book so beloved by millions is not either. Don, a 19 year old College student in Texas decides he has to get away from the hypocrisy of his own family and church and at the prompting of his hard drinking, jazz loving father bolts unexpectedly for Reed College known for Genius IQs and heathen beer drinking festivals.
Befriended by an attractive lesbian (Tanya Raymonde,TV show Lost) and a Campus appointed "Pope", Don begins to explore a world he has never known or even knew existed.
As Don tries to escape his upbringing by a single mom who simultaneously sits in the pews of the Church of his childhood while having an affair with the Youth Pastor, he finds that running from God is a tricky proposition and not easily accomplished. The beautiful Penny (Claire Holt) catches Don's eye and he begins the machinations of trying to catch and hold her attention. Unfortunately for Don, the campus Pope drags him into a prank on a local Church that just happens to be his new lady friend's house of worship.
Thankfully, Don realizes the error of his ways and begs his new love interest's forgiveness, he begins to find out that even in the midst of his rebellion and rejection of his upbringing on "The most Godless Campus in America" there's no running or hiding from God.
There may be a few that might not like this film because of it's graphic and realistic talk about sex, hypocrisy in the Church, and a scene at the Renaissance Fair with depictions of College partying, but, having attended a large state university myself I can tell you these depictions are very realistic. In fact, the films Director speaking to us after our screening said that they have already been criticized by other Christian Film makers. The irony is that most of these critics of the book and the film haven't even seen the movie or read the book and have taken statements by the author completely out of context, and are probably the very people that should sit down and watch it all the way through.
Once again, director (and former Christian rock music star) Steve Taylor has produced something quite edgy. But, as a former Band mate of Mr. Taylor's, I can guarantee you this...you will definitely walk away from the theater thinking more deeply about your faith and how it should work out in your own life, even if it makes you uncomfortable in the process...And that's a good thing.

Blue Like Jazz is rated PG 13 and earns that rating. I wouldn't recommend taking someone under 14 unless they are very mature.… Expand

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White_Insane

Aug 19, 2012

Score of 4 well the movie should be drama/comedy but in fact it was just a "biography-like-part" where the student is searching for himself in the college. Comedy part, I giggled 2 times that was it, drama? Almost no drama at all. Very slow development of the movie I wouldn't recommendScore of 4 well the movie should be drama/comedy but in fact it was just a "biography-like-part" where the student is searching for himself in the college. Comedy part, I giggled 2 times that was it, drama? Almost no drama at all. Very slow development of the movie I wouldn't recommend this to anyone I'm almost sorry I wasted my time...… Expand

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TheDocIsIn

Apr 6, 2014

This movie is chock full of offensive stereotypes:
Trailer trash
Rabid hypocritical Christians Crazy liberals Druggie students party all the time Atheists must have had trauma in their childhood The situations are implausible, relationships are unbelievable, and it's conclusion isThis movie is chock full of offensive stereotypes:
Trailer trash
Rabid hypocritical Christians
Crazy liberals
Druggie students party all the time
Atheists must have had trauma in their childhood

The situations are implausible, relationships are unbelievable, and it's conclusion is trite and unbelievable.

I cannot recommend this film. You must have better things to do with your time.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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