In the movie “The Life of Brian” by Monty Python, the unwitting protagonist Brian is mistaken for the Son of God. A clever twist to this narrative is portrayed in Jeymes Samuel’s alternate history of the New Testament. Echoes of the overlooked film “Mary Magdalene” by Garth Davis can be perceived in The Book of Clarence’s accurate portrayal of various sects frolicking and vying in Palestine.
Influenced by his twin brother and devoted follower Thomas, Clarence, roleplayed by the multitasking Keith Stanfield, portrays a gambler in debt who forms an alliance with the emerging Christian sect. He masquerades as the 13th apostle of Jesus but is swiftly exposed as a con artist by a perceptive John the Baptist, enacted by David Oyelowo. Unfazed, he undergoes an internal metamorphosis, turning into a wonder-working wizard before James McAvoy’s merciless Pontius Pilate snags him.
The phenomenal lineup of renowned actors, such as the Virgin Mary (Alfre Woodard), Barrabas (Omar Sy), and Judas (Micheal Ward), take a fresh look at these biblical characters. Roman strength is brought to life by Tom Vaughan-Lawlor. The surprise element is when the power of coin multiplication is granted upon Benjamin, a grubby beggar on the streets, unveiled to be Benedict Cumberbatch.
In accordance with the grand aspirations of the project, its cast is studded with stars. The Book of Clarence breathes new life into Hollywood’s time-honoured sword-and-sandals films, complete with an exciting opening chariot race where Teyana Taylor’s Mary Magdalene outshines Clarence.
Despite its captivating visuals, the film’s whimsicality can sometimes tip over into absurdity, for instance, an opium session that causes the users to float.
Alluding to the modern black surrealism found in Joe Talbot’s “The Last Black Man in San Francisco” and Boots Riley’s “Sorry to Bother You”, Samuel creates a delightfully chaotic mix of historical discrepancies, coupled with a soundtrack featuring Lil Wayne, Doja Cat, and Jay-Z, who also happens to be one of the movie’s producers.
The innovations within the film demonstrate no signs of sacrilege, it employs the narrative of Jesus in a thoughtful manner. This may seem unusual wording, but the screenplay meticulously sketches details from the gospels, leading up to a finale that, in all aspects, is miraculous. ‘The Book of Clarence’ is set to debut in theaters this upcoming Friday, the 19th of April.