Steve Taylor is moving forward on shooting Blue Like Jazz the movie. He’s set to shoot in Mid May through June. We will be shooting in Portland and Nashville through the end of June.
I couldn’t be more excited. I’m skyping today with the actor who will likely play me. Unfortunately I can’t tell you who it is until we sign contracts, but we are both stoked on the choice. Anyway, as a teaser, Gabe Lyons over at Relevate took a look at the screenplay and wrote a little review. Just one more glowing review of the screenplay. I can’t wait:
From Gabe:
Blue Like Jazz portrays a vivid tension between Christianity and the world. I thought it was fantastic. It was hard to swallow some the direct obligations towards Christianity – they are so true though. The times of hope and resolve allowed me to emotionally connect to the character of Don. I laughed out loud and swallowed hard at times when reading through the script. The story touched on every single issue that outsiders have with Christianity (Judgmental, Hypocritical, Antihomosexual, Sheltered, Too Political, and Proselytizing based on the research of unChristian). It’s an emotional ride that brought me to an ending that gave me much hope and confidence in (1) Being Christian (2) The story I am developing with God on a personal level and (3) Jesus.
The Evangelical viewer is going to come face to face with some tough criticisms. However, the honest Christian is going to come away feeling refreshed. The cultural elite are going to laugh at the cynicism and debate that takes place during the Reed College scenes and they will appreciate the genuine tension that Don has with God. Your Juno fans are going to love the the witty dialogue, emotional connection to each character and who they represent. They will also love the scenes dealing with rabbits, the Pope, condoms, college parties, and the journey Don is on. The dialogue comes off as very genuine, even when reading it as opposed to seeing it on screen. Homosexuals who believe in God will love the relationship between Don and Laura. Conservative Christians are going to have the hardest time with it – but it is a necessary affliction they need to feel. The postmodern crowd of Christianity is going to rave about it. Since the story is about a guy who is in college your college students will love it on so many different levels, especially, the character development of Don. I think majority of criticisms will come from your extreme conservative and your extreme liberal – However, majority of the world rides the fence.
I can’t wait to see the motion picture.
Movie guy- I swear Dave Matthews looks just like you! He would have been another choice to play you in the movie- maybe next time. I follow your tweet and am an owner of Blue like jazz. Yeah for me. Your a guy version of me. Too funny. Hey- we kinda of know each other too. My friend was on the train from portland to seattle who sat next to your aunt. They mentioned our names on the trip so that makes us friends of a friend of an aunt. hahaha Have a great easter.
I’m sorry, but are you saying that evangelical Christians are dishonest? Because I am one of those and I finished this book and felt extremely refreshed.
I wonder if Steve Taylor would now distance himself from these lyrics:
I heard the Reverend say,
“Gay, is probably normal in the Good Lord’s sight.
What’s to be debated?
Jesus never stated what’s right.”
I’m no theology nut,
but, the Reverend may be a little confused.
‘Cause if the Lord don’t care and He chooses to ignorah,
Tell it to the people of Sodom & Gommorah.
Uhg i dont know what to think…one thing i absolutly loved about the book was the “dont believe in things because they are trendy” view point…isnt this just portreying the complete opposite?? i cant help but feel slightly betreyed…i dont know, I’m struggling with this a bit. I wish i could feel over joyed but when i heard the news i cryed!! it demeaned everything i had found meaningfull about the book…im sorry, i need help understanding the reasoning behind all this!! =/=/
I gotta read the book, then see the movie, and collect the action figures at a fast food restaurant near me. Listening to Innocence Lost still chokes me up, so if the movie is as powerful as the music was, there’s bound to be fire storm, but Now The Truth Can Be Told.
[...] that people buy Third Day albums at Target and I await the day when you can rent the in-production, Don Miller’s Blue Like Jazz movie from Blockbuster. Christians should shop where everyone else shops – this is normal. One of the [...]
I am currently reading Blue Like Jazz ..I am enjoying the book…I think Don Miller is a very deep thinker..I think that God is using him in places where others can’t be used..but than I think God uses everyone who truly loves him..We are the body of Christ..a hand doesn’t say to the foot I am better than you because I can write and you can’t..that would be foolish…
Just finished reading the book and it is excellent. Thanks for allowing everyone around the communion table and for allowing a bit of irreverence to creep into a life of Christian spirituality.
Please see my poem entitled
“Religiosity or Spirituality?” at
http://willowtreepoetry.blogspot.com/2009_07_05_archive.html
[...] p.s. If you like Donald Miller, look. [...]
Heyy!!!
I’m Reading Blue Like Jazz!! and it is Terrific… Donald Miller is My Hero!!! I LOVE YOU DON!!!! Next my youth group is reading Searching For God Knows What!!! im reading Blue Like Jazz by myself though…lol….Im gonna try to come see don next time he speaks in nashville let me know when that happens(: Love, Morgan(:
I finished reading the last chapters of Blue Like Jazz a few months ago while sitting in a crowded coffee shop. I sat, entirely unaware of the buzz surrounding me, filled with something like shock at glimpsing the reality of human value. As I left and continued down the sidewalk, I kept taking sips from my mug, trying to hide the almost foolish feeling smile that kept sneaking back, making me look crazed when coupled with the tears streaming down my cheeks.
Blue Like Jazz blessed my mind, heart, relationships and helped to heal my expectations of God’s greatness. I am impatiently anticipating that the film version of this testimony will be equally captivating.
Thanks Don.
=)
I’m going to buy “Blue Like Jazz” to give it to my son for Christmas. I bought “Searching for who knows what” and it’s the perfect book for him already! Definately will go see the movie….
Just finished reading A Million Miles in a Thousand Years after seeing you when you came to Texas. It was a good book and thought provoking, especially the chapter on the myth of utopia in our society. Well put. I felt compelled to write a better story. May we all let God write that better story we have within us if we listen to His voice louder than our own. Thanks…
I just had to add that your climbing up to Machu Picchu is really quite a feat! Good for you!
I read ‘Blue Like Jazz’ when it first came out. Then I read it three more times. I just finished my third reading of ‘A Million Miles in a Thousand Years.’ I’m 61 and one of my sons is close to Don’s age. I’m a former seminary prof, a teacher at a grad school, and a voracious reader of Christian literature. Don is the best. I’m proud of him as a man, appropriately jealous of him as a writer, and own a copy of all his works. If only he had been around in the 60′s…
oh my gosh…I love this book. Actually read it twice! I want to be in the movie!
This author is amazing…I just finished reading Searchin for God Knows What and it made me desire to read my bible in a whole different way….God’s love is amazing….and Donald Miller conveys it perfectly.
Is there a stage play version of the script?
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