Salvation Boulevard (2011)

Well, I was quite curious in how would the movie use a spiritual theme in a comedy. But it seems like not only the movie failed to do so, it can't even deliver a good amount of comedy. Seriously, the only time I laughed watching this movie was when the cop accidentally tased the gas jerry- can. The portions of the drama and comedy didn't balance well. Most of the time, I don't know which is which in the scene, whether between being dramatic of being comedic. The acting overall is so below standard, especially so because of the big names in the cast list. Pierce Brosnan overacted most of his parts. Greg Kinnear felt like he didn't belong in most of the scenes. Even Jennifer Connelly's acting was misplaced most often of the time. Ed Harris gave a nice performance here but his parts was insignificant.

This is a lightweight, by the numbers, satirical comedy thriller on evangelical religion.While discussing an ideas for a new book where two contrasting people would make opposing views on organised religion,Pastor, Dan Day (Pierce Brosnan), accidentally shoots atheist Dr Blaylock (Ed Harris) and then in a panic tries to make it look like a suicide.However Carl Vandermeer (Greg Kinnear) a born again Christian and form Grateful Dead fan and dope-head was there when the shooting takes place and is framed by Pastor Day and his cronies are out to silence him. Even Carl's family disbelieve him.The moment Brosnan shoots Harris, you know Kinnear will be the fall guy. You also know the members of the church will little persuading to pin the blame on Kinnear. The film holds few surprises bar the intervention of a shady Mexican gangster. There is very little by way of redemption and understanding. The satire is not sharp enough and its the acting of the leads which carries the film.Before he got shot, it would had been better if we had longer scenes of Harris and Brosnan having their philosophical discussions.

I read some of the reviews posted, and I'm surprised by the low opinion some people had about the quality of the acting, the story, and the overall direction. I think the movie was pretty good, mostly because it rings true to me. I think I liked the movie, in part, because I found it to be comically (or tragically) true. Fundamentalists going to any length to protect their beliefs. Isn't that what we see every day in the new? Though admittedly, the news does not have the comic edge of this movie. Greg Kinnear is an excellent actor, and did a great job making it as comical as possible to be at the receiving end of the ire of a group of crazies who will go to any length to protect their radical views. Marisa Tomeii is excellent as the still-hippie friend, who helps Kinnear keep his sanity. Pierce Brosnan is great to hate and the rest of the case was very believable

Basically, the movie about a pastor who tries to cover up an accident and things get out of control in the process. Overall, the acting was good throughout. A problem I had with this movie was the "comedy music" that plays when there was a "funny" situation going on. I thought they were pushing it too hard on some scenes. In my opinion, it would have still been as funny without the music. And it's a dark comedy, "comedy music" is not needed in dark comedies. Though it's a bit annoying, but not annoying enough to tamper my enjoyment of the movie.The story is well written with enough twists to keep you guessing, and the metaphors are well done, especially the Christianity themes. If you've seen the movie Four Lions, then this is a Christianity version of it. There's isn't much similarity in story, but it is thematically similar. A good pick for fans of dark comedies.