Search - Forgiving the Franklins on DVD

Jay Floyd is an astounding talent

Zooey Glass | Peoria, AZ | 05/09/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This movie is a pure delight. I too saw it at Sundance. The real star of the film is Jay Floyd the writer, director, producer, and financial backer. I understand he cast it and shot it himself as well. He was one of the most talked about people at Sundance.
This film had me laughing and thinking for months afterward. The 4 members of the Franklin family are played perfectly by the actors.
And you will never view ice cubes the same way again."

Spiritual Fun

Amos Lassen | Little Rock, Arkansas | 04/26/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Forgiving the Franklins"

Spiritual Fun

Amos Lassen

"Forgiving the Franklins" is a dark comedy with one of the most absurd premises I have ever seen but I still love the film. It is honest and funny and thought provoking at the same time and who could ask for more in a film?
The plot concerns a family of fundamentalists who suffer from hyper-stress. They live in a small community with others that think like them. Suddenly an automobile accident changes everything. Three of the four family members have a near death experience and in doing so the concept of original sin is reversed for them. The fourth family member is a cheerleader suffers nothing in the accident and remains psychologically unchanged and becomes witness to her now spiritually bankrupt family. As the movie progresses it becomes more and more outrageous. The three family members are stripped of their spiritual clothing and they horrify everyone around them.
The lack of spirituality makes this movie very spiritual. There is one scene (when the family is sitting around the dining room table) that is just perfect. Even with all of the comedy, the message of the film is very, very strong--so strong, in fact, that the word comedy does it no justice. Here is a comedy for the thinking viewer.
The acting is absolutely wonderful and the talent is fresh and the cast works together like a well oiled engine. Without question this film will anger some people but they are the kind of people that are not moviegoers anyway.
"Forgiving the Franklins" is exceptionally well grounded and the acting is inspired. It is just refreshing to see a dark comedy become humanistic and to see actors who are completely and utterly committed to their craft.
"

A world I wish we lived in

L. Reed | 05/04/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Saw this movie at Sundance. Original, smart, sweet and oh so funny. Watch it with friends.

It's about accepting people for who they are and not judging them while making you laugh at loud.

You'll be thinking about this movie long after you see it.

"

Refreshing & Significant

Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 07/29/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jay Floyd's "Forgiving the Franklins" provides thought-provoking material in an entertaining manner. I've read one review that sets the film in North Carolina and another in North Dakota. Regardless of exactly where the film is set, it is small town America. The question the film poses is whether sexuality is truly anti-religious. Obviously, the world wants the species to continue; so sex has to have its place. But when does physical enjoyment and intimacy cross the line to become sordid? In this film we have a family who through the miracle of an accident is relieved of the burden of original sin. Jesus himself, played by Pop DaSilva, pulls a bloody apple out of the back of their heads thus relieving the mother, father and son of any sexual guilt. Young Brian played by Vince Pavia has never dated girls. The reason becomes clear when relieved of guilt he tells his coach who is massaging his hamstring that it is exciting. Coach Caldwell played by Zak Spears as Kris Scaramanga joins Brian in the shower for Brian's first sexual experience. Brian innocently tells his parents about it at the supper table. Meanwhile, father Frank Franklin played by Robertson Dean who was in "Star Trek: Nemesis" in 2002 & "Vanilla Sky" in 2001 is discovering his routine lovemaking with his wife has been transformed with an exciting freedom of enjoyment. Betty Franklin is played by Teresa Willis whose lack of shame is reflected in sauntering into the yard in her birthday suit to retrieve the morning paper. Their daughter Caroline Franklin is played by Aviva who had a part in "Superbad" in 2007. Still riddled with guilt, she runs to her godmother Peggy Lester played by Mari Blackwell. Lester reports to the Christian women's association that quickly shuns the family and results in fanatical action, divorced from a gospel of love. This is a very entertaining, very direct, very interesting picture that will offend those with a conservative traditional view of morality. I found the film refreshing and significant, a low-budget gem. Bravo!"