Product Description

This Christian drama presents the story of a mysterious, charismatic, benevolent stranger, a woodcarver/carpenter, who comes to live for a time in a small town where he encounters friendship and suspicion among community members.
Genre: Feature Film-Drama
Rating: G
Release Date: 5-MAY-2003
Media Type: DVD

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5984 in DVD
• Brand: GOLDWYN,TONY
• Released on: 2002-10-22
• Rating: G (General Audience)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .25 pounds
• Running time: 90 minutes

Amazon.com
The world can be divided into two camps: those who will watch Joshua reverently and gratefully, and those who will not touch it with a 10-foot pole. The reverent probably own Joseph F. Girzone's bestselling novel about a mysterious but friendly loner who shows up in a small American town and blesses every life he touches. Whites and blacks, Catholics, Protestants, and Jews will work side by side as newly recognized brethren; an estranged couple will resolve to save their marriage; the lonely and disconnected will embrace and be embraced by community; etc. The message--the healing power of Christ's love--is beyond reproach, the intentions of the filmmakers entirely benign, but there is not one whit of dramatic tension or narrative complication to any of it. The cast is stronger than usual in such religious projects (Tony Goldwyn, Oscar^® winner F. Murray Abraham, Giancarlo Giannini as the Pope), but no one has a prayer with a script that posits the hero's Christhood on the fact that 12 people show up for his going-away dinner. --Richard T. Jameson

Customer Reviews

JOSHUA FIGHTS THE BATTLE
As my wife and I sat down to watch this movie, we jokingly said, "Well at least we won't be hearing the F word every other sentence, there won't be any gratuitous sex scenes, or violence and gore." Instead, JOSHUA gave us both an exceptionally inspirational evening.
Director Jon Purdy knowing he wasn't going to be filming a shoot em up or even a hells a fire movie, relies instead on the simply beautiful story of a young man named Joshua who comes into the little town of Auburn and gives the religious people there a sense of community and belonging. In spite of the stereotypical hardhearted priest, Joshua bonds with the assistant pastor, and all the people in the town, regardless of their denominational preference. He helps rebuild a Baptist church; he goes to a Christian rock concert, and ultimately he has an audience with the Pope.
I can't praise this movie enough for the sense of love and acceptance it portrays. Tony Goldwyn gives his most effectively controlled performance of a stellar career; evoking the soft masculinity of a carpenter and the embodiment of friend and brothere, Goldwyn is perfectly cast. His final scenes with F. Murray Abraham and Giancarlo Giannini as the Pope are delivered with such quiet intensity, their impact is boundless.
Abraham is wonderful in a thankless role; his moment of epiphany, though sudden and brief, is awesomely presented. Kirk Fuller as Father Pat is the movie's comic balance, but there is a warmth and understanding in his performance that makes him all the more believable.
This movie made us feel good; it made us think; and its power of faith and love was inspirational. We loved this movie and thank Purdy and his crew for bringing us such a warm and simple affirmation of what's good in the world.

Joshua made me laugh and cry--I saw it twice in two days.
Joshua is a Christian movie that also appeals to non-Christians like myself and my family. It's hard to say much without giving away the movie's secret, but it is the story of small town USA and the winsome stranger who comes to visit and change the lives of the people who live there. There's lots of humor and loveable characters, and several very moving moments. The acting was wonderful. I'm trying to think of another movie to compare it to, and "It's a Wonderful Life" comes to mind.

A Wonderful Movie
"Joshua" is an uplifting movie with a truely Christian theme. I felt it was well acted, touching, humorous at times and totally enjoyable. In this era of questionable values, with Hollywood's proclivity towards sex and violence in film, this was a refreshing change.

Joshua, a stranger, comes to a small town and demonstrates through his actions and words what being a Christian is all about. His presence challenges the "church authority" and hollow observance of religious customs.

I highly recommend this movie.