johninen There are many movies that has a very stereotypical portraits of Christians - either they are all holy good(often in chrisitan movies) or they are all hippocrates(in non-chrisitan) - this one was different. The plot is based in a community where Christianity is kind of accepted, but traditionalized in the roman catholic way - and everyone come along quite well it seems. But the problem begins when someone, Joey, begins to take his faith more seriously(because of Mary). He does not become a holy man - but he struggles still in the search - and even when he believe he has found Him. Even Mary struggles somehow, both her strict chrisitan parents and Joey's devoted catholic mother - all do - in their own way. As in real life. And this is one of the few movies I have seen that being shown without making much effort to preach one type of Christianity. Neither does the movie cover up the message as so many Hollywood movies tend to do, and even some Christian movies.I can understand that people does not like and criticize this movie for the message it brings, because it is - believe it or not - Christian, but I cannot understand why people wish the movie had a more humanistic message like soooo many other Christian themed Hollywood movies often have. It would only ruin the movie, because the church and Christianity is not that, and it would make the movie lose its edge and reality aspect into a wishful thinking kind of chrisitiany of the directors mind only to please the world(major audience). It's easy to rate a movie bad, because you don't like the message, even thou the movie itself is not bad - I think this movie show that its right where it should be, and it does it pretty good.I love the fact that this movie IS a romantic comedy. I love romantic comedies. It's kinda typical in the storyline(but well made and acted) - but in addition you get the Christian theme that is one of my favorite subjects. It's also a typical comedy because of the characters, lines and warm humor etc. Too few movies, especially romantic comedies, like this are made.

Jay Harris I just saw this little charmer under the title of WELCOME BACK MISS MARY on Showtime ON DEMAND, I just wanted to kill some time & watch anything before my main film tonight.This was a nice surprise, with basically a little or no name cast, this is a very well thought out screenplay, The author seemed to hit all the right notes, in what could have been a sloppy cliché ridden script. OH yes there still are clichés, but handled deftly, the acting is a pure delight by all the large cast. I know I want to see some of these actors again.Next I have to look this film up to see when & if it was a theatre release, & when it will be on Showtime again, as I will want to record & keep this one.Rating *** (out of 4) 88 points (out of 100) IMDb 8 (out of 10)

jhmnetwork Thank God (no irony) that the producers of this film wisely decided to change it's title from the off-putting Jesus, MARY AND JOEY to the more enigmatic WELCOME BACK MISS MARY. An overtly religious film that does not discomfit by being heavy-handed, WELCOME BACK MISS MARY was written by the star, Vincent Pagano, and may well be the story of his own spiritual journey.Mary (the lovely Marley Shelton) socially resurfaces after a long absence. As it turns out, the former "scary Mary" is now a cancer survivor, and attributes much of her recovery to her faith in God. She witnesses her faith by working with young cancer patients. Although Mary is Born Again, she wants to experience life in all its facets and fullness.Vivacious, sexy and sweet, she captures the heart of Joey (Vincent Pagano), a local boy from a staunchly, energetically Italian family. Joey's colorful, riotous family is the exact opposite of Mary's, who are straitlaced to the point of painfulness.As Joey's feelings for Mary grow, he adopts a kind of shrill religiosity that grates badly on his friends and family, and takes a Wall Street job offered to him by Mary's disapproving father, both to give the boy a leg up in life and to separate him from Mary. Made unhappy by his choices and the circumstances of his life, Joey experiences a crisis of faith.Vincent Pagano' script is touching, funny and wistful, as well as being utterly sincere. Joey's (and Mary's) respective questions of faith are well-addressed here and never become leaden, not least of all because Mary lacks any pretentiousness or self-righteousness. She merely believes---questions the why, but has faith in the how of the universe.This reviewer is generally not a fan of religious-based programming but enjoyed this film, so take that as a definite endorsement.For a "little" film, WELCOME BACK MISS MARY has a stellar cast which includes Stacy Keach, Charles Durning, Olympia Dukakis, and of course the aforementioned Vincent Pagano and Marley Shelton.

Clayton Moore Jesus, Mary and Joey played at the Kansas Film Festival on 09/11/05. I guess this film has been sitting on the shelf for a while but it was delightful. Steller cast which includes Jennifer Esposito, Charles Durning, Tess Harper, Olympia Dukakis, Dan Lauria, Jason Gedrick, Stacy Keach and others. A wonderful Romantic comedy with a close knit Italian-American family, the Vitellos youngest son Joey falling in love with a fundamentalist WASP-y girl Mary played by Marley Shelton (nice to see her again). This is a religious romantic comedy that asks questions about faith, hope and love. Joey meets Mary and starts questioning his Catholic faith. Mary who went though a serious illness when she was younger starts questioning her religion (not her faith). Her father played by Stacey Keach puts the "fun" in fundamental but isn't all that helpful. I usually don't like films about religion but this is something special. Both Mary and Joey learn that faith and love matter, not dogma. And the course of true love (both with each other and God) never runs smooth. Wonderful film and the photography is beautiful. See it and you'll have good Karma.