Jeymes Samuel’s The Book of Clarence Investigates 13th Apostle

With every biblical epic film, we have often seen every aspect navigated mostly through the white gaze.  Even though in the actual bible Jesus Christ is described in Revelation 1:14-15 a man whose skin was a darker hue and “hair was woolly in texture. The hairs of his head, it says, “were white as white wool, white as snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined as in a furnace.”

So  when Jeymes Samuels turns that ideology on its head depicting the story of Clarence, who foolishly attempts to profit off of the Messiah’s increasing fame and power for his own personal gain, we wonder what’s the point? It’s true that Clarence is indeed not a book in the Bible. But for Samuels, the book of Clarence was very real.  Clarence literally risks everything to carve his own path to a divine life, and ultimately discovers that the redemptive power of belief may be his only way out.

Broken down into a series of three books (The 13th Apostle, The New Messiah and The Crucifiction), we learn that with any journey lessons are learned, enemies are forged, friends betray one another and knowledge is stronger than belief is a huge discovery and central theme of the film.  The opening sequence sets the tone with insane aerial drone shots and camera angles backed by a soundtrack that is Blackety Black and intense with stark contrast to walking through the Gypsy territory with a slight 70’s vibe feel.

A personal scene favorite and crowd pleaser involves a dance break to The Jones Girl hit – ‘Nights Over Egypt’ complete with a Soul Train line. There are numerous hilarious moments within the dialogue like “I don’t even like Mary’s cooking, she uses too much garlic,” during the last supper with Judas and  “You ever see Jesus buy a pair of sandals?”

With cameos with everyone from David Oyelowo to Alfre Woodard, all of the actors commit to the absurdity of the plot.  However, what makes the film ultimately work is the chemistry between RJ Cyler and Lakeith Stanfield.  Their organic banter fires on all cylinders.  Yet, it is Stanfield taking on the dual roles of Jesus of Nazareth and Clarence that is intriguing proving once again this is an actor whose range shows no boundaries.