I'm in Love with a Church Girl (FILM REVIEW)
I'm in
Love with a Church Girl
Film Review
by Kam Williams
Ja Rule Stars in Faith-Based Tale of Redemption
Rapper Ja Rule was paroled from
prison earlier this year after spending a couple of years behind bars for a
weapons violation and tax evasion. In a case of art imitating life, he now
stars in a faith-based tale of redemption revolving around a hip-hop
producer endeavoring to go straight following his release from jail.
I'm in Love with a Church Girl was actually inspired
by a true story, but not Ja Rule’s. Rather, the autobiographical screenplay was
penned by convicted coke dealer-turned-preacher Galley Molina while incarcerated
in a California
penitentiary. The movie is set in the San Jose native’s hometown where the ex-gangsta now serves
as youth pastor at the Evergreen
Valley Church.
Narrated by Ja, the picture’s
protagonist is a fictional character called Miles Montego. As the flashback
flick unfolds, we find Miles returning to the ‘hood after a stint in the
slammer.
He immediately gets a good piece of
advice from his Bible-thumping mom (Marjorie Mann), namely, to attend services
on Sunday in order to meet a good God-fearing woman who might help keep his
nose clean. Sure enough, he soon falls in love at first sight with Vanessa (Adrienne
Bailon), a clerk at a store specializing in Christian-oriented products.
The two hit
it off, despite her concern about all the bling and his degenerate-looking
posse. Eventually, Vanessa becomes convinced that he’s left the life of crime
behind, but the same can’t be said about the DEA Agent (Stephen Baldwin) still tailing
Miles him with hopes of arresting him again.
Given the film’s
spoiler of a title, there’s a sense of inevitably about I'm in Love with a Church Girl.
This easy to predict morality play is certain to resonate with the Evangelical
demographic, and it even has a chance of attracting a mainstream audience
because of the presence of the charismatic Ja Rule in the lead role.
A
faith-based modern parable with a positive message for both believers and
wayward souls ripe for redemption.
Very Good
(3 stars)
Rated PG-13
for PG for violence, suggestive content, mild epithets and mature themes
Running time: 118 minutes
Studio: Reverence Gospel
Media Films
Distributor: Film
District
To see a trailer for
I’m in Love with a Church Girl, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEmqu0zNkT8
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