Directed by Jon Purdy
Novel by Joseph F. Girzone
Screenplay by Brad Mirman and Keith Giglio

Tony Goldwyn .... Joshua
F. Murray Abraham .... Father Tardone
Kurt Fuller .... Father Pat Hayes
Stacy Edwards .... Maggie
Jordan Allen .... Michael Reed
Tom Brainard .... Young Pastor
Colleen Camp .... Joan Casey
Alec De Rosa .... Evangelist Kid
Giancarlo Giannini .... The Pope
Kevin Scott Greer .... Parishioner

Produced by
Howard Baldwin .... producer
Karen Elise Baldwin .... producer
Paul Pompian .... producer

Original music by David R. Barkley (additional score) and Michael W. Smith
Cinematography by Bruce Surtees

Rated G
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When Joshua moves to a small cabin on the edge of town, the local people are mystified by his presence. A quiet and simple man, Joshua appears to seek nothing for himself. He supports himself by working as a carpenter. He charges very little for his services, yet his craftsmanship is exquisite. The statue of Moses that he carves for the local synagogue prompts amazement as well as consternation.

What are the townsfolk to make of this enigmatic stranger? Some people report having seen him carry a huge cherry log on his shoulders effortlessly. Still others talk about the child in a poor part of town who was dreadfully ill but, after Joshua's visit, recovered completely.

Despite his benevolence and selfless work in the community, some remain suspicious. Finally, in an effort to address the community's doubts, the local religious leaders confront Joshua.

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“We all knew he was different. And we all knew he was somehow special. But none of us knew how much trouble we were in. And how much we would end up needing him...”

A man arrives in a small town. At first, no one knows his name; no one knows where he came from. He's strong. He's smart. He's "easy on the eyes." The locals want to call him a stranger, but when they meet him, he makes them feel quite the opposite - like they've known him their whole lives.

Theo, a lovable giant of a man, is the first to shake his hand, the first to learn his name: "Joshua." It's one seemingly simple sound that soon makes its way around town, into the hearts and minds of young and old. Joshua's name falls on the ears of Maggie, the pretty local girl-turned-news anchorwoman. It reaches Kevin, a troubled teen searching for his place in the world. Joshua's name reassures Joan, a housewife trying to put passion back into her marriage, and it reaches into the soul of a revival tent preacher to pull out a lifetime of shame.

Joshua is seemingly everywhere at once, making the kind of impression that few have ever felt. But it is exactly this influence that creates a division between the stubbornly orthodox Father Tardone and the well-meaning but less-than-confident Father Pat, two priests who believe very strongly in the same thing, but in very different ways.

"Sometimes you gotta' tear something down to build it back up again."

As a carpenter, that's one of Joshua's favorite sayings. So when the charismatic stranger sets his sights on re-building the burnt down Baptist church, it comes as little surprise that many in the town, regardless of their faith, lend a hand. But what really gets built back up are each of their lives, their hearts, their trust in themselves and each other. Joshua has shown them how to believe. Especially Father Pat. And that draws the scrutiny of Father Tardone, who is not pleased with Joshua and his hold over the community.

"Deep in the hearts of so many people, there's an emptiness that nothing in this world can fill," Joshua admits, and this is especially true for the seasoned pastor. Why does he shun what others embrace?

When the reluctant priest finally recognizes the way, finally says the word through a whisper and a tear, it comes with the force of a revelation. "Joshua." It is an exclamation of faith, a declaration of love and the realization that hope indeed does have a name.

That name is "Joshua."

JESUS AND THE CHURCH IN SHAMBLES
What this film does is ask the question "What would Jesus do?" And it answers that question by placing a Jesus figure in modern time. Joshua is the name given to this modern day Jesus.

As you might know, Jesus is Joshua in Hebrew.

And so, what does Jesus do in this film?

Well, some very interesting things....

1. JESUS LIVES IN A BARN
The story makes some remarkable statements about Jesus/Joshua. Jesus is pictured as living in a barn devoid of any commercial and consumer trappings. Jesus lives in a simple way. He spends no money whatever on anything beyond what is necessary to live. The barn is symbolic of the stable in the biblical story of Jesus, and it also underscores his carpenter's trade. All activity within the barn is centered on helping others through his craft.
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3. JESUS ROCKS OUT
Jesus embraces contemporary music. Jesus picks up a guitar in a garage and rocks out. Jesus has no fear of expressing himself through non-traditional church music. This scene is so subtle that many will miss its significance. Jesus is pictured as fully entering postmodern culture without so much as an eye blink.
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6. JESUS MENDS BROKEN HEARTS
There is much symbolism in this film. In one scene Jesus gives a woman a new heart -actually a hand carved wooden heart. Later when the woman's husband breaks it, Jesus mends the wooden heart. Highly symbolic. Clever.

What this film does is place Jesus back into real life. Jesus is not portrayed as some religious extremist, or as an unapproachable mystic. Rather Jesus is portrayed exactly as he would be if he walked the streets today, by replacing the Palestinian culture of the Biblical context with our contemporary North-American culture. Here is a great film for group discussions.

What would Jesus do?

How would Jesus be?

Who would Jesus hang with?

What would be important to Jesus?

What would not be important to Jesus?

JOSHUA BULLETIN BOARD (rules)
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