Rotten Tomatoes Logo Do you want to see ‘James' Journey to Jerusalem’?

James' Journey to Jerusalem (2003)

tomatometer

90

Average Rating: 7.2/10
Reviews Counted: 40
Fresh: 36 | Rotten: 4

A smart and funny social satire about modern-day Jerusalem.

87

Average Rating: 6.8/10
Critic Reviews: 15
Fresh: 13 | Rotten: 2

A smart and funny social satire about modern-day Jerusalem.

audience

77

liked it
Average Rating: 3.6/5
User Ratings: 845

My Rating

Movie Info

South African actor Siyabonga Melongisi Shibe stars as a devout Christian who becomes part of Tel Aviv's migrant force after making a pilgrimage from his African village to the Holy Land in director Ra'anan Alexandrowicz's cinematic look at the contrast between hypocritical Western values and cultural Israeli divisions. After embarking on a religious journey to the Holy Land in a quest to find spiritual fulfillment, James (Shibe)'s subsequent involvement with the impoverished migrant workforce

Sep 28, 2004

Zeitgeist Films

Cast

All Critics (46) | Top Critics (16) | Fresh (36) | Rotten (4) | DVD (1)

A pointed and funny allegory about a clash of values.

August 20, 2004 Full Review Source: Houston Chronicle | Comment
Houston Chronicle
Top Critic IconTop Critic

This darkly comic parable wonderfully contrasts modern corruptions against simple Christian faith.

May 21, 2004 Full Review Source: Orlando Sentinel | Comment
Orlando Sentinel
Top Critic IconTop Critic

A sly and insightful fable about a religious pilgrimage derailed.

May 14, 2004 Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle | Comment
San Francisco Chronicle
Top Critic IconTop Critic

A fluid and often funny morality tale.

April 29, 2004 Comment
Philadelphia Inquirer
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Searing little parable.

April 2, 2004 Full Review Source: Boston Globe | Comment
Boston Globe
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Given the fact that the protagonist's smiling acquiescence to bondage comes uncomfortably close to a Stepin Fetchit caricature, James' Journey almost makes forced servitude seem like a jaunty lark.

March 26, 2004 Comment
Washington Post
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Story of a devout Zulu Christian who makes a pilgrimage to Israel, only to discover that it is more like hell than heaven.

August 27, 2007 Full Review Source: rec.arts.movies.reviews | Comment
rec.arts.movies.reviews

A personal film that examines unabashedly the previaling mores in contemporary Israeli society

November 9, 2006 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com | Comment

It works as a message movie about the evils of capitalism, but could have been a much richer film if it ever strayed off message.

June 17, 2004 Full Review Source: Capital Times (Madison, WI) | Comment
Capital Times (Madison, WI)

A deceptively gentle social satire brimming with likable performances and smart humor.

June 10, 2004 Full Review Source: EricDSnider.com | Comment
EricDSnider.com

One of those disarming little films like No Man's Land that touches and amuses, all the while sneaking up on you with a message that lingers.

May 29, 2004 Full Review Source: San Diego Metropolitan | Comment
San Diego Metropolitan

Plain and human and profoundly warmed by the appealing James of Siyabonga Melongisi Shibe.

May 28, 2004 Full Review Source: San Diego Union-Tribune | Comment
San Diego Union-Tribune

Alexandrowicz manages to express most of his ideas without getting too heavy-handed, and the low-key tone is refreshing -- not just the humor but also the characterizations and story developments.

May 28, 2004 Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | Comment
Deseret News, Salt Lake City

A gentle and moving parable.

May 28, 2004 Full Review Source: Salt Lake Tribune | Comment
Salt Lake Tribune

There's genuine tragedy in watching James tumble down the spiritual ladder from missionary to mercenary... Shibe plays the arc beautifully.

May 22, 2004 Full Review Source: Orlando Weekly | Comment
Orlando Weekly

An intriguing fable.

May 22, 2004 Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | Comment
Austin Chronicle
More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for James' Journey to Jerusalem

"James' Journey to Jerusalem" is about a young pilgrim, James, from a small village in Africa on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. On the way, he is detained at the airport in Israel under suspicion of seeking work. He is freed by a corrupt customs official to work in the employ of Shimi. James is surprised to find Israel

May 11, 2005
Harlequin68
Walter M.

Super Reviewer

Who We Are Versus Who We Should Be At the beginning of the film, an Israeli immigration officer (Yael Levental) tells James (Siyabonga Melongisi Shibe) that she has heard his claim--that meeting her, an actual Israeli Jew like in the Bible, is a great joy to him--thousands of times. She does not believe it;

November 25, 2009
gillianren
Edith Nelson

James' Journey to Jerusalem Quotes

No quotes approved yet for James' Journey to Jerusalem. Logged in users can submit quotes.

Latest News for James' Journey to Jerusalem

What's Hot On RT

Critics Consensus
Critics Consensus

Journey 2 Not Worth the Trip

Luis Guzman
Luis Guzman

What are his 10 best movies ever?

<em>Amazing Spider-Man</em>
Amazing Spider-Man

See the all-new action-packed trailer!

The Avengers!
The Avengers!

Five new Marvelous pictures

Top Movie Quizzes

LEGO Mania: 2011 Best Picture Nominees
by natalie - 18,578 taken
created 12 months ago
How Much Do You Know About Leonardo DiCaprio?
by natalie - 44,486 taken
created 15 months ago
Pixar Movies!
by jdikwlzviv - 27,180 taken
created 15 months ago
The Wizards of Harry Potter
by jdikwlzviv - 27,675 taken
created 15 months ago
Help | About | Jobs | Newsletter | Critics Submission | API | Licensing | Blog | Developers | Mobile