Confessions of a Teenage Jesus Jerk (2017)

A teenage boy comes of age during the Reagan years, discovering that he really enjoys many pleasurable things that his family and his religion frown upon.

Director:

Eric Stoltz

Writer:

Tony DuShane

Stars:

Sasha Feldman, Nicholas Harsin, Kit DeZolt

1 win.

Cast

Credited cast:
Sasha Feldman	...	Gabe
Nicholas Harsin	...	Peter
Kit DeZolt	...	Kien
Lauren Lakis	...	Karen
Paul Adelstein	...	Allen
Tara Summers	...	Linn
Reed Diamond	...	Brother Miller
James Karen	...	Interviewee #1
Shari Belafonte	...	Flo
Sam Behrens	...	Elder #1
Rob Giles	...	Uncle Jeff
Scott Atkinson	...	Terry
Charlie Buhler	...	Jasmine
Katherine Castillo	...	Camille
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Anastasia Barzee	...	Laura

Storyline

A teenage boy comes of age during the Reagan years, discovering that he really enjoys many pleasurable things that his family and his religion frown upon.

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Plot Keywords:

jesus in title | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Eric Stoltz has worked with numerous actors in this movie before or since.

As of November 2019, Stoltz also directed Paul Adelstein in four episodes of Private Practice (2007), Tara Summers in episodes of Boston Legal (2004), Private Practice (2007), and Madam Secretary (2014), Rob Giles in Glee: Blame It on the Alcohol (2011), Scott Atkinson in The Grand Design (2007), Anastasia Barzee in Made in Jersey: Ridgewell (2012) and Madam Secretary: Tectonic Shift (2016), Dean Cameron in Glee: Guilty Pleasures (2013), and How to Get Away with Murder: He Deserved to Die (2014), Bevin Hamilton in Private Practice: Do the Right Thing (2009), Cara Loften in Madam Secretary: Whisper of the Ax (2015), Rod McLachlan in Class Rank (2017), The Bulls (2005), Boston Legal: The Object of My Affection (2007), Quarterlife: Home Sweet Home (2008), Glee: Opening Night (2014), and Madam Secretary: Strategic Ambiguity (2019), Sarah McMullen in How to Get Away with Murder: He Deserved to Die (2014), Ann Russo in Grey's Anatomy: Brave New World (2008), Private Practice: If You Don't Know Me by Now (2011), and Glee: Big Brother (2012), Will Watkins in Madam Secretary: Labor of Love (2017), and finally Sam Breslin Wright in Black Box: Jerusalem (2014) and fourteen episodes of Madam Secretary (2014).

Stoltz also acted alongside Reed Diamond in Memphis Belle (1990) and Homicide: Life on the Street: Wu's on First? (1997), with James Karen in The Violation of Sarah McDavid (1981), with Dean Cameron in Things Are Looking Up (1984), Kicking and Screaming (1995), Mad About You: The Birth: Part 1 (1997), Mad About You: The Birth: Part 2 (1997), It's a Shame About Ray (2000), Hi-Life (1998), Hollywood Palms (2001), Highball (1997), and Sleep with Me (1994), with Lauren Katz in Kicking and Screaming (1995), with Kenneth Hughes in Private Practice: If You Don't Know Me by Now (2011), Mr. Jealousy (1997), and Highball (1997), with Rod McLachlan in Great Performances: Our Town (1989), with Tegan West in Chicago Hope: Vanishing Acts (1999), Greasy Lake (1988), Hi-Life (1998), Grace of My Heart (1996) and Sleep with Me (1994), and finally with Sam Breslin Wright in Out of Order (2003) and Happy Hour (2003).

User Reviews

Balances respecting people's faith, with the realities of being a Jehovah Witness

I'm not a fan of Jehovah Witness after my wife was harrassed on the door step and had to call the police to get rid of them. I am also not particularly religious but I still enjoyed this film. Although this obviously has a great deal to do with the religion, at its heart it really is just a coming of age film.

The film follows Gabe and his friends as they try and be teenagers while following the strict religion that punishes them with not being allowed to interact with other Jehovah Witnesses. Of course being teenagers they break all the rules.

This is not a religious film. There is sex shown and mentioned but nothing explicit. Although there is a comical but explicit integration of a new adult recruit about accidental anal sex with his wife. I wouldn't watch it with your nan.

Overall I enjoyed this film. There are funny and sad parts. The film showed the harsh realities of being a Jehovah Witness but at the same time did not preach that people who choose this religion are bad or stupid people. The film has moments with older Jehovah Witnesses about why they joined the religion. Although it doesn't make it clear if these were genuine or actors.

The whole Jehovah Witness thing may put people off but they are missing out on a decent film. The film is basically a coming of age film just with the twist of being set with the turmoil of a religion that frowns upon all the urges and things you want to do as a teenager.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2017 (USA)

Also Known As:

Confessions of a Teenage Jesus Jerk

Company Credits

Production Co:

Trees of Shade

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

D-Cinema 48kHz 5.1

Color:

Color