The Holy Roller (2010)

***Fun, oddball New Zealand drama about a country minister who moves to the big city*** A struggling pastor (Angus Benfield) in rural New Zealand moves to the big city and sets up a church that meets at a bar. When it becomes successful serious complications arise. "The Holy Roller" (2010) is a quirky & amusing drama with faith-based roots. Benfield is basically the New Zealand version of Kevin James. Meanwhile his character’s possible romantic interest played by Victoria Abbott is cute and lovable. This is a fun, likable flick about noble intentions, failure, success, mistakes, penitence, forgiveness, love and renewed resolve. It only cost a $1 million to make, but it’s quite proficient for such a low budget. The only flaw is that kinks needed to be worked out in the storytelling (editing, whatever) to make it less muddled and more compelling. Still, it’s entertaining enough and has a certain pizazz. The film runs 1 hour, 28 minutes, and was shot in Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand. GRADE: B-/C+