Don Verdean

Name: Don Verdean
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Comedy
Released: December 11, 2015
Duration: 90 min
Rating: 39
Cast: Amy Ryan, Danny McBride, Jemaine Clement, Sam Rockwell, Will Forte

2015

METASCORE

Generally unfavorable reviews based on 14 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

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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Don Verdean

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Movie Details & Credits

Lionsgate | Release Date: December 11, 2015 | PG-13

Starring: Amy Ryan, Danny McBride, Jemaine Clement, Sam Rockwell, Will Forte

Summary: Don Verdean is a man of faith who has devoted his life to biblical archaeology, scouring the globe in search of artifacts that back up the teachings of Jesus Christ. Now, traveling from town to town, he and his devoted assistant, Carol, spread the gospel by peddling books and DVDs out of his shabby RV, while his Holy Land contacts, Boaz andDon Verdean is a man of faith who has devoted his life to biblical archaeology, scouring the globe in search of artifacts that back up the teachings of Jesus Christ. Now, traveling from town to town, he and his devoted assistant, Carol, spread the gospel by peddling books and DVDs out of his shabby RV, while his Holy Land contacts, Boaz and Shem, do the digging from afar. When evangelical preacher Tony Lazarus offers to bankroll Don’s modest roadside operation, the escalating pressure to find increasingly significant relics leads Don and his team down a less-than-righteous path. With more than just the word of God on the line, Don finds himself in the midst of a spiteful feud between two opposing congregations, leaving him to question what is truly important in life.… Expand

Director: Jared Hess

Genre(s): Adventure, Drama, Comedy

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 90 min

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Critic Reviews

A.O. Scott

Dec 10, 2015

Its intentions are, to some degree, corrective: It mocks some of the popular corruptions of faith so as to invite the audience to reflect upon what real faith might be. Read full review

Kerry Lengel

Dec 10, 2015

It’s an enjoyable ride, but probably not one you need to take twice. Read full review

The Playlist Russ Fischer

Dec 10, 2015

This is ninety minutes of comic actors having a genial go at middle-of-the-road material. It doesn’t have any guts, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t funny. Read full review

Kenji Fujishima

Dec 6, 2015

If the film is any indication, Jared and Jerusha Hess remain committed to clotting up the screen with ostensibly charming "eccentricity." Read full review

Movie Nation Roger Moore

Mar 15, 2016

The normally dependable Rockwell seems uncertain of what to do with Verdean. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Susan Wloszczyna

Dec 11, 2015

I kept thinking one thing during most of Don Verdean: What would Christopher Guest do with his company of ace ad-libbers with such material? And the answer suddenly came to me — probably toss it in the trash and start all over again. Read full review

Alan Scherstuhl

Dec 8, 2015

Rockwell is charmless in a role that seems to be written that way. Read full review

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User Reviews

tmoo

Dec 15, 2015

I'm not sure what critics' beef with Hess is. What's wrong with goofy? Goofy is great! Nacho Libre is a thousand times better than most comedies! Gentlemen Broncos was ingenious and hilarious! And now Don Verdean, Hess' first foray into anti-hero territory, provides tons of laughs and prettyI'm not sure what critics' beef with Hess is. What's wrong with goofy? Goofy is great! Nacho Libre is a thousand times better than most comedies! Gentlemen Broncos was ingenious and hilarious! And now Don Verdean, Hess' first foray into anti-hero territory, provides tons of laughs and pretty "wicked" satire. It starts goofy and progresses into darkly comic territory -- also new for Hess, though broached in Gentlemen Broncos. This is a great film with knock-out performances by all 6 leads (the actress who plays Danny McBride's wife is especially hilarious). I need to go watch this again.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

SKELETOR420

Dec 14, 2015

This film is getting slated up and down for no good reason. If you liked Napoleon Dynamite, you'll love it. The cast is pitch perfect. Could be my comedy of the year!

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

3ebfan511

Aug 15, 2018

A mediocre Hess film is still...quite enjoyable. I would say its probably his worst film (have not seen Nacho Libre). The acting is good and the premise is good..and it has some of the silly humor of his films to make it very watchable, but..it also is a bit more serious than other HessA mediocre Hess film is still...quite enjoyable. I would say its probably his worst film (have not seen Nacho Libre). The acting is good and the premise is good..and it has some of the silly humor of his films to make it very watchable, but..it also is a bit more serious than other Hess films at times, there aren't as many jokes, and mainly, it was like the story was not as well written as his other films, particularly character and their backstories. Napolean Dynamite is such an interesting character, with so much detail and backstory that it makes the film really shine. Wheras in this film we know very very little about Don Verdean, or really any of the characters. Very shallow kindof characters that just serve their purpose so it would have been better if it was better written, as it seems to have been sortof hastily written and done compared to his other more enjoyable films. (Gentleman Broncos being my favorite..also much detail in that film..with a story within a story...) Bottom line if you like Jared Hess's other films you will probably at least somewhat enjoy this film, but its not his best work. I enjoyed it for the silly humor and story premise, but a lot was left unfulfilled.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

dafragsta

Dec 14, 2015

Don't let the movie snobs ruin this. IMHO, Don Verdean is a solid Jared Hess movie.

Jemaine Clement is great, Sam Rockwell gives probably his most transformative performance, and Danny McBride is Danny McBride, and who's better to play an evangelical minister paying lots of money for theDon't let the movie snobs ruin this. IMHO, Don Verdean is a solid Jared Hess movie.

Jemaine Clement is great, Sam Rockwell gives probably his most transformative performance, and Danny McBride is Danny McBride, and who's better to play an evangelical minister paying lots of money for the recovery of holy relics. It's funny, yo.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

Ralfbergs

Apr 17, 2016

I thought the movie was quite boring. Maybe just wasn't my type of movie as many here are comparing it to Napoleon Dynamite type of movie and Napoleon wasn't one of my favorites either. There were funny moments and I get the whole satire idea, but either way, you have to like that type ofI thought the movie was quite boring. Maybe just wasn't my type of movie as many here are comparing it to Napoleon Dynamite type of movie and Napoleon wasn't one of my favorites either. There were funny moments and I get the whole satire idea, but either way, you have to like that type of comedy to be into this movie, if you don't, then it will be quite boring for most of the time.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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