Review of Friends of God: A Road Trip with Alexandra Pelosi (2007) by Shawne A — 16 Sep 2010

Most mainstream documentaries regarding Evangelical Christianity are so obviously biased that it's hard to call them "documentaries." (I'm looking at you "Jesus Camp."). And given that this short, snap shot of Evangelical life in the U.

S. was made by the sister of the current Democratic Speaker of the House, I expected a similar tone. But, I was pleasantly surprised at how balanced it felt in the end. Alexandra Pelosi travels across America attempting to show Christian Evangelicals of every size and shape.

Alternately fun and quirky as well as serious and ominous, Ms. Pelosi tries hard to reveal that there is a spectrum to this group of people in our culture, just like any other. This attitude is evident when you hear her voice asking her subjects questions.

It is obvious she approaches them out of curiosity and interest as opposed to "down her nose" judgement as if she is on the offensive in a mission to prove them dangerous or brain-washed. There is one exception, though.

In one scene, Pelosi records Pastor Ted Haggard, then President of the National Association of Evangelicals coaching his parishoners on how to act while the film crew is on site. Ironically, the film was completed just prior to the scandal involving Pastor Haggard.

Her portrait of those events is a follow-up to "Friends" entitled "The Trials of Ted Haggard." Having given the film credit for a more balanced approach, it bears remarking that it doesn't shy away from addressing some Evangelical's priority on mobilizing political power and advancing their agenda for our country.