IR Film Review: THE JESUS ROLLS [Screen Media]

Making a follow up to "The Big Lebowski" in any way, shape or form is an interesting quandary. Jesus Quintana, who just had a small ode in that seminal film, was seemingly a pervert who just lived to bowl and start trouble with his bowling alley competitors. While that ode 20 years ago happened in LA, this new tome, which John Turturro writes, directs and acts in, picks up Jesus getting again out of the joint 20 years later (how long he has been incarcerated we don't know). He is picked up by his friend, played by Bobby Cannavale. From the get go, be assured that this is not "The Big Lebowski 2". This is it's own animal with less visual flourish, slightly darker humor to be sure and more subtle writing. Much of what Jesus and his cohorts do makes little sense but that, in short order, is part of the fun. Jesus as a character just seems to go on whatever path life takes him, despite the absurd, stealing cars, trying to have sex with women but also coming on to his best friend in Cannavale, not out of spite but just saying "you should try it!". Whether stealing cars or staying in random people's houses, Turturro plays the older Jesus as just a free spirit but with wrong values. Once in a while, it does elevate. What lets this work in many ways, even though her English accent is still very heavy, blossom is Audrey Tautou, the star of "Amelie" and "The DaVinci Code" who seems undeniable free as a happy, openly sexual haircutter who has never had an orgasm and doesn't mind. She is just a free spirit in platform pink heels. Tatou is just a bright light despite Cannavale and Turturro's characters in different ways being not the best role models. Cannavale, who has played his share of bad guys and unsavories, plays his character in many ways as an innocent which is charming in its own way and makes one think of his earlier work in films like "The Station Agent".The one thing that Turturro can also pull off is some good cameos though most of them are brief and just push the story along. Ones like Tim Blake Nelson and Christopher Walken as just one scene but bring a smile to your face. The most intrinsic overall is a multi-scene stint with Susan Sarandon which shows a depth and a Bull Durham angle that we haven't seen from her in years though the resolution of the character is unusual and changes the story somewhat. Pete Davidson from SNL also shows up in a key role but again it is a fleeting character. But again that is the world that Jesus Quintana lives in. Even his mother, who has a great reveal and played by a cool actress completely fits into the story correctly. In essence though the heart still revolves back to Tatou's character and her brightness which balances out the texture of Jesus' smarminess which Turturro doesn't tame down but also makes it as dimensional as he can. And yes he does bowl and he can roll.B-

By Tim Wassberg