Salvation Boulevard

Salvation Boulevard is a dark comedy directed by George Ratliff that was released in 2011. The star-studded cast includes Pierce Brosnan, Greg Kinnear, Marisa Tomei, Jennifer Connelly, Ciaran Hinds, and Ed Harris. The film is a comedic exploration of the modern, mega-church movement, and it investigates faith, identity, and the extent to which people will go to protect their beliefs.

The story is set in the Midwestern United States, revolving around a giant Church/Christian city known as "City on a Hill." Viewers are introduced to Carl Vandermeer (Greg Kinnear), a former Deadhead turned born-again Christian, who has largely uncritical faith in the mega-church’s charismatic pastor Dan Day (Pierce Brosnan). Day is a larger-than-life character, being a former rock-band member turned evangelical preacher who has a grand vision to establish a Christian society in the desert with his mega-church followers.

The film is propelled into action by an unusual incident involving Pastor Dan and Dr. Paul Blaylock (Ed Harris), a noted atheist, scholar, and author during an after-debate social gathering. This event, witnessed by Carl, plunges him in a world of confusion and danger, as he becomes an unwitting pawn in Pastor Dan's desperate cover-up attempt. The tale further develops as the characters interact and clash, bringing in a comedic yet insightful commentary on faith and belief.

Along the way, the audience encounters other interesting characters. Honey Foster (Jennifer Connelly) plays the diligently loyal and supportive wife to Carl but is just as committed to her church and Pastor Dan. Carl and Honey's marriage shows an interesting dynamic that many married couples may relate to especially when faith becomes the dividing line. Marisa Tomei gives an enthralling performance as Gwen, a security guard at the mega-church and a devotee of 80s pop culture who becomes an unexpected confidante for Carl.

Salvation Boulevard navigates the comedic and sometimes absurd elements of the story without making fun of faith itself. Instead, it focuses its satire on the institutionalized side of religion, depicting the hypocrisies and contradictions that can be found in the mega-church movement. However, it doesn't limit itself to religious extremism but also brings in characters who represent various other perspectives, ranging from staunch atheism to spiritual but not religious positions.

Balancing a fine line between comedy, satire, and thriller, Salvation Boulevard offers a thought-provoking look at the intersection of religious fervor and personal identity. The film's characters are well-written, contributing clever and often humorous dialogue that propels the narrative forward, while the ensemble cast delivers strong performances throughout.

While the film engages with weighty and potentially divisive themes, it makes an effort to do so lightly and entertainingly, making it a comedy that does not shy away from stimulating reflection and debate. Throughout the film, viewers are likely to be questioning who the ‘good guys,’ are and in whose integrity they find salvation.

In essence, Salvation Boulevard is an ensemble-driven, character-based dark comedy that leverages its creative premise with strong performances from an accomplished cast. It serves as a commentary that might prompt viewers to reflect on their own beliefs, the nature of faith and devotion, and the phenomenon of mega-churches.

Nonetheless, the film is not exclusively for viewers with an interest in religious debates; its intrigue, wit, and humor have a broader appeal. It effectively uses elements of a classic thriller, mixed with comedic instances and interesting characters that make for an engaging viewing experience. Despite the gravity of the topic, the movie remains light-hearted and entertaining while gently nudging its audience to contemplate the influence and manipulation of faith and belief systems in contemporary society.