entertaining u newspaper: your weekly guide to entertainment

Nearer My God to Thee

By Donald Dusinberre

      Nearer My God to Thee is an autobiographical documentary film by Marc Israel. Supposedly suffering from an undiagnosable condition, Israel complains of physical, mental, and emotional ailments, none of which can be completely alleviated by any of the specialists he's seen. After breaking up with his girlfriend and spiraling into a fit of depression, Marc Israel decides to seek the help of a spiritual healer.

      Fancying himself a filmmaker and obsessed with documenting himself, Israel brings along his video camera in order to share every last detail, no matter how interesting. Complete with a vintage folk and blues soundtrack, this film chronicles each day of his agonizing life. The more he dwells on himself, the more convinced he is (and the less convinced the viewer is) of his mysterious handicaps.

      Israel travels from Northampton, Massachusetts to "The Casa" in Brazil, home of John of God. Channeling the spirit entities of doctors, saints, and even King Solomon, John of God is Israel's last hope.

      Skeptical of his own leap of faith and suspicious of the other visitors, Israel visits John of God five times before surgery is suggested. His surgery is finally performed, but Israel decides to feel no improvement. With his time in Brazil coming to an end, he struggles to find a positive influence on his life before he leaves. Once he returns to Massachusetts in attempt to complete his film, he comes to believe that the film is his medicine.

Click here for The Official Film Festival Guide

Be In The Know!
Sign up now to receive EU's weekly newsletter updates
on your desktop!

EU Critic’s Choice Awards

We are sending our food critics out to Jacksonville’s favorite local restaurants on the hunt for the best menu items in town. Who do you think has the best burrito? What about cheesecake? Lend us your expertise and nominate the items you believe to be the tastiest in town, and we’ll send our critic’s out to taste it and compare it to other nominees!

Get EU on Myspace!

EU BLOGS

· Joystick Revolution
(Norm Stovall)

· Shot From The Hip
(Rick Grant)

· Rachel Best Blogs
(Rachel Henley)

· jaxvillain
(Jon Bosworth)

· jaxeatdrinkandbemerry
(Erin Thursby)

Entertaining U Newspaper, eujacksonville.com. Published by N2U Publishing, Inc. 3101 University Blvd., South #201 Jacksonville, FL 32216. Copyright N2U Publishing, Inc. 2006. Reproduction of any artwork or copy prepared by N2U Publishing, Inc. is strictly prohibited without written consent of the publisher. We will not be responsible for errors and/or omissions, the Publisher's liability for error will not exceed the cost of space occupied by the error. Articles for publication are welcome and may be sent to the following address: 3101 University Blvd., South #201 Jacksonville, FL 32216. We cannot assume responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts and photographs. For information concerning classified advertising phone 904-730-3003.