Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
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While the church is one way to meet people, what about meeting other men when you’re not sure of yourself?
| Director(s) | Michael Donte |
| Screenplay By | Michael Donte |
| Based On | N/A |
| Date Released (Film Festival – NewFest) | 10/13/2022 |
| Genre(s) | Romance, Young Adult, LGBT+ |
| Duration | 19 Minutes |
| Content Rating | Not Rated |
| Noted Cast | |
| Shamont | Elijah Boothe |
| Malcolm | Nic Ashe |
This content contains pertinent spoilers. Also, images and text in this post may contain affiliate links which, if a purchase is made from those sites, we may earn money or products from the company.
Film Summary
Recently, Shamont joined Malcolm’s family’s church, and while Malcolm originally thought they could just be good friends, there is a shift as he gets closer to Shamont and even sees him in his dreams.
Things To Note
Why Is “The Spirit God Gave Us” Rated Not Rated
- Dialog: Nothing Worth Noting
- Violence: Nothing Worth Noting
- Sexual Content: Nothing Worth Noting
- Miscellaneous: Nothing Worth Noting
Character Descriptions
Please Note: This character guide is not an exhaustive list of every cast member, and character descriptions may contain what can be considered spoilers.
Shamont
Fresh from New York and now living with his mother, Shamont joins the church since he was raised in the church. But, despite a religious upbringing, he embraces being a psychic of sorts.
- You May Also Know The Actor From Being: Travis Wolfe in “Pink Opaque” and Carter in “All These Small Moments”
Malcolm
Malcolm is the pastor’s son who finds himself hanging out with Shamont by the river when they aren’t at church together.
- You May Also Know The Actor From Being: Micah West in “Queen Sugar”
Review
Our Rating: Mixed (Divisive)
On The Fence
It Doesn’t Explore The Expected
“The Spirit God Gave Us” begins and ends with Malcolm trying to navigate his feelings. It doesn’t try to address why his feelings are complicated or what his father, the pastor, may think, so while we’re given all the signs he is anxious, it isn’t clear what is making him so fearful.
Granted, who knows if Malcolm’s dad, or the church community, would accept him, but that is something left for the audience to question and potentially assume. And beyond that, it isn’t like Shamont comes out. Yes, if you go by stereotypes, you can take note of his voice and wonder, but that in itself is a problematic plot for another movie or short.
But, as for “The Spirit God Gave Us,” while you have to appreciate Malcolm’s anxiety, unfortunately, even with nearly twenty minutes to explore Malcolm’s feelings, we get more style than substance.
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