Grade: B

Verdict: Religious, but not preachy.

Details:
• Starring Tony Goldwyn, F. Murray Abraham, and Stacy Edwards
• Directed by Jon Purdy
• Rated G
• Running time: One hour and 30 minutes.

See it: Local theaters and showtimes for Joshua

Rate it: Write your own review

"Joshua," the film adaptation of Father Joe Girzone's best-selling novel, answers the cinematic question, "What would Jesus do?"

In the case of "Joshua," Jesus would work as a talented carpenter and artisan, heal others' spirits and occasionally their bodies, be gentle and listen really, really well. Oh, and change a lot of people's lives for the better.

Between modest production values and Jon Purdy's pedestrian direction, "Joshua" plays largely like an episode of "Touched by an Angel," a lozenge of smooth spirituality wrapped with mild humor and broad drama.

"Joshua" occupies the middle ground in a film landscape that ranges from most movies where faith plays no part in their characters' lives to Grade B apocalyptic melodramas like "The Omega Code" and "Left Behind." It's religious, but not preachy or dogmatic. It doesn't mock those who take faith seriously, and it shows that concrete action is the best demonstration of a changed life.

"Joshua" starts as a quiet stranger named Joshua (Tony Goldwyn) comes to a small town. A wood-worker and craftsman in crystal, he sets himself up in a homeowner's outbuilding whose roof leaks -- that is, unless Joshua is inside.

Small things begin to happen in town. He helps a stuttering Theo (Eddie "Bo" Smith) tear down a damaged church building, then leads community efforts to rebuild it. When an accidental fall seems to kill Theo, Joshua brings him back to life. Bumbling priest and avid fisherman Father Pat (Kurt Fuller) finds himself wanting to preach, even though his superior Father Tardone (F. Murray Abraham) disapproves.

Of course, not everyone is happy. . Tardone views him as an interloper and faces off with him in an audience before the pope (Giancarlo Giannini), a confrontation that leads to the film's most powerful scene.

Goldwyn ("Ghost," the voice of Tarzan in Disney's animated feature), wisely underplays Joshua, which underlines his humanity and gives him a quiet charisma. Abraham gets saddled with a villain part from Central Casting, but his pivotal scene with Joshua at the Vatican is so honest and unforced that one forgives any previous shortcomings.

"Joshua' "s affirming, nonconfrontational message should find an audience eager for a word of hope after Sept. 11. Its cardboard supporting characters, pat plotline and spotty acting, though, keep it earthbound.

— Carl Hoover, THE WACO TRIBUNE-HERALD