Based on the New York Times bestseller by Donald Miller, Blue Like Jazz tells the story of a Texas college student who fleas the hypocrisy of his religion to attend one of the most godless campuses in the country, Reed University.
Filled with unique characters and a strong blend of comedy and drama, Blue Like Jazz is able to overcome its rather typical storyline and craft itself into something quite entertaining. While the premise gives off the anti-religious vibe, in reality, the film is actually one of the best religious themed pictures I've seen in years.
Rather than coax the audience into accepting a particular belief as right, Miller allows the audience to place themselves in the same situation and consider their options. Sure the film features a wealth of extremes"”especially when it comes to the events taking place on campus"”but that is part of the fun in the story. At times it is so ridiculous that you can't help but laugh.
I will say that the story itself is quite generic, especially in terms of the coming-of-age genre piece. Allman does a brilliant job at portraying our lead, and his supporting players hold up their end of the bargain. A few classic one-liners and a few scenes of situational comedy keep the film progressing during its slow times, ultimately giving audiences a movie that they can enjoy. It isn't anything spectacular, and won't be an instant classic, but it will stir some conversation, and who can ask for more than that?
