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Billy Crudup, Samantha Morton, Denis Leary, Jack Black, Will Patton ... see more see more... , Greg Germann , Holly Hunter , Dennis Hopper , Mike Shannon

In this independent drama, a young man tries to find himself in the early 1970s as he wades through a swamp of heroin addiction. FH (Billy Crudup) is a well-intentioned but weak-willed man whose prope... read more read more...nsity for messing up his life has earned him his nickname, short for "F--khead." FH's problems with drugs begin in earnest when he falls in love with Michelle (Samantha Morton), a beautiful but emotionally unsettled woman addicted to heroin. FH soon finds himself drawn to the needle, and the couple drifts from one incident to the next, some funny and some horrifying. Michelle rescues FH from overdoses on a few occasions, although their friend Wayne (Denis Leary) isn't so lucky. After a few years, Michelle becomes pregnant and has an abortion in Chicago shortly before leaving FH and journeying to Mexico. While heading South in hopes of finding her, FH falls into a relationship with an older woman, Mira (Holly Hunter), and becomes involved in an auto wreck; his brush with death, and the opportunity to save a child's life, lead him into rehab and a chance to straighten out his life. The American debut from New Zealand director Alison Maclean and based on the novel by Denis Johnson, Jesus' Son also features Dennis Hopper, Will Patton, and Jack Black. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

81% liked it

6,564 ratings

Critics

82% liked it

44 critics

R, 1 hr. 49 min.

Directed by: Alison Maclean

Release Date: June 1, 1999

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DVD Release Date: September 19, 2000

Stats: 371 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (371)

  • LoughnerWasLucid
    February 6, 2012
    LoughnerWasLucid
    We are all his sons asshole!
  • mjgildea
    April 16, 2011
    mjgildea
    Jesus' Son is a really fun and hysterical movie about the adventures of a dope fiend. Of course, finding the movie fun may be completely missing the point but then again I've always been a fan of the random humor which is served up in abundance here. The story's told through a se... read moreries of almost vignettes where the great cast (for the most part) only gets a few minutes to shine. The movie never glamorizes drug use but at the same time never really seems to go out of its way to not make it entertaining. If that makes any sense. Unfortunately, the movie (like most drug people I've known through the years) gets dull as hell once it sobers up. Which may or may not be the entire point of the movie. Great movie full of great moments with a great soundtrack.
  • ceWEBrity
    April 21, 2009
    ceWEBrity
    Jesus' Son does great things with its titular character, the mysteriously unnamed Fuckhead. He is immensely likable - check out that winning smile and the off-kilter, observant humor - but his behavior is reprehensible. He is an idiot, but the kind of idiot who you're so close to... read more that you want to help them rather than condemn them. The movie plays with your feelings toward FH, engaging you in a rollercoaster of frustration and pride. And when he gets hurt, it's like a punch to the gut. Billy Crudup's performance, in this way, is really remarkable. He oozes charisma and fun and gentle idiocy to the point where this film becomes a vignette in the life of that crackhead idiot you love to talk to at parties.

    Also notable is Samantha Morton, in a stunning, indelible performance brimming with risk. Michelle is a completely ugly character, but Morton sells her appeal against all odds.
  • DrZeek
    June 14, 2006
    DrZeek
    See this for all of the supporting actors involved.
  • HeroPK
    May 25, 2011
    HeroPK
    The movie is a sometimes light hearted look at the people involved with one drug users life. The synopsis gives away most of the story, so don't ead it if you are going to watch it anyway. The tittle is not fitting since it never comes up in the movie. I wouldn't say the movie... read more is bad in any one point, but it never really conected with me at any point either.
  • LaurenceJMoquinJr
    August 4, 2009
    LaurenceJMoquinJr
    Rightfully episodic and teetering between hilarity and heartbroken. One of the better observed "drug addiction" films. Jack Black bursts onto the screen in an instant star making comedic performance.
  • PatienceSmatience
    March 28, 2009
    PatienceSmatience
    Jesus' Son gives a hilarious view of a serious problem, as opposed to the usual "stoner/druggie" films that often times glorify drug use with unkempt hair, mindless jokes, and the use of the words "dude" and "rad." Billy Crudup, whom I've loved since seeing Almost Famous and Big ... read moreFish, gives a great performance. This was the first time that I had actually found someone with the nickname "Fuckhead" likeable.
  • onemkb
    June 2, 2007
    onemkb
    The story of innocence, with a title stolen from a velvet underground track, Jesus' son captures the story of a young junkie, and his eventual absolution..
  • beadbop
    May 12, 2007
    beadbop
    A beautiful little movie, largely unseen by the general public. Do yourself a favour, and rent this one!
  • kylanquick
    December 12, 2006
    kylanquick
    Excellent music score in the soundtrack. Great coming of age flick, of hittin' rock bottom and starting over.

View All Jesus' Son Reviews

Critic Reviews

Michael Dequina
January 7, 2010
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com

While one is able to get interested in FH's internal workings, it's more difficult to get too invested in his external actions--that is, on rare occasion he does act rather than react. Full Review

Emanuel Levy
November 9, 2006
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

The film uses dreamlike quality to evoke youth subculture of the 1970s, and Billy Crudup is perfectlt cast as a man who believes he possesses healing powers and wants to do good, but his attempts alwa... Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson
May 26, 2006
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid

Manages to blend its stories together into a nearly seamless narrative, sliding dreamily from one episode to the next before we even realize we've gone. Full Review

Frank Swietek
December 6, 2005
Frank Swietek, One Guy's Opinion

Despite the occasional miscalculation and disappointing last half-hour, an estimable piece of work. Full Review

Jeffrey Overstreet
December 6, 2004
Jeffrey Overstreet, Looking Closer

When the film finds a note of bittersweet conclusion, I'm wondering why all these colorful threads remained so loose when they might have woven into an interesting story. Full Review

Michael W. Phillips, Jr.
February 28, 2002
Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies

Crudup is a talented young actor. Full Review

Prairie Miller
April 9, 2001
Prairie Miller, filmgazette.com

...between a wasted world of heartland junkies and the dazed, private induced euphoria of one hopeful loser among them.

Ross Anthony
January 1, 2000
Ross Anthony, Hollywood Report Card

Excellent dialogue, direction, and acting injected into a rather bland film. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
January 1, 2000
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

This might be the best junkie film ever made. Full Review

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
January 1, 2000
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

In this funky drama a good-hearted loser is surprized by grace. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Jesus' Son Trivia

  • Jack Black says " Does everything you touch turn to sh#*?" after Billy Crudup kills the baby bunnies in what film named after a line in a Velvet Underground song?  Answer »
  • What Actor has played a football coach, a father of a dying son, a man with a son named jesus?  Answer »
  • Finish this quote featured in the film Little Nicky starring Adam Sandler as the Devil's son. "Jesus this, Moses that, Abraham _______________."  Answer »
  • WHAT MOVIE IS THIS QUOTE FROM: "SON, IF THAT AIN'T JESUS CALLING, TURN IT OFF."  Answer »
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