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‘Average Joe’ (2024) tells the inspiring true story of a high school football coach who fought for his right to publicly express his religious beliefs, leading to a landmark Supreme Court case. Directed by Harold Cronk, known for the ‘God’s Not Dead’ franchise, the film presents a compelling legal drama through a faith-based lens. The narrative follows Joe’s journey, from his time as a Marine to the pivotal moment when his post-game prayers ignited national debate. While unmistakably a religious film, ‘Average Joe’ avoids preaching, instead offering a heartfelt exploration of standing firm in one’s convictions.
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True Story
Joseph Kennedy faced a turbulent family life growing up, but through the hardships, he met Denise, who would become a steadfast presence in his life. After joining the military and becoming a Marine, he eventually lost touch with Denise. Denise continued to support him through the challenges they faced. Life brought marriages, divorces, and children, eventually causing Joe and Denise to reunite and finally pursue a relationship together. Despite their own trials and tribulations in marriage, Denise continued to support him through the challenges they faced. Some of those tribulations ultimately led Joe to resign from the military and strengthened his faith.
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Unexpectedly, Joe was offered the opportunity to coach football at a local high school, which he accepted. Strong in his faith, he began a personal tradition of kneeling to pray on the field after games. Over time, some of his players voluntarily joined him in this act. In September 2015, the Bremerton School District (BSD) became aware of the ‘tradition’ and launched an investigation into whether Joe had encouraged students to participate in religious activities. Although it was confirmed that the students joined him voluntarily, BSD prohibited him from continuing to kneel and pray in public.
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In response, Joe requested a religious accommodation to allow him to continue his post-game prayers. However, in October 2015, BSD suspended him, and by November, Joe Kennedy was fired from his football coaching position. That December, Joe filed a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), alleging that his rights to free speech and religious expression had been violated. In June 2016, the EEOC granted Joe the right to sue BSD, leading to a lawsuit in which he claimed that his termination violated his civil rights. In June 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Kennedy’s favor. The ruling in the Kennedy v. Bremerton School District marked a landmark victory for freedom of speech and personal religious expression.
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Performances
The performances in ‘Average Joe’ are instrumental in bringing the heartfelt and dramatic story to life. Eric Close delivers a compelling portrayal of Joe Kennedy, a man torn between his personal religious convictions and the weight of legal pressures he has to face. Close’s performance makes Joe authentic and relatable, capturing the emotional complexity of the character. Amy Acker shines as Denise, adding emotional depth with a portrayal that balances her unwavering support of her family’s beliefs with the personal toll the legal battle takes. Her performance not only enhances Denise’s character but also deepens Joe’s. The chemistry between Close and Acker is palpable, making their relationship feel genuine and their struggles as a couple even more impactful.
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Visuals
The visual elements like production design and cinematography in ‘Average Joe’ effectively reinforce its grounded, real-world focus, highlighting the film’s themes of personal and religious freedom. Key locations like football fields, small-town homes, and courtrooms play a significant role in telling Joe Kennedy’s story, emphasizing his humble background, how far he’s come and the challenges he faces. While the cinematography in the narrative sections is fairly conventional, the film takes a more unconventional approach during the interview segments, using techniques like push-ins, zoom-ins, and zoom-outs to create an intimate, documentary-like feel– which you would see in interviews. Though the visuals aren’t the film’s strongest aspect, they successfully complement its emotional and thematic core.
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Fourth Wall
One of the most notable elements of the film is its use of fourth-wall-breaking moments, where characters address the audience directly. This technique stands out as a strength, adding a unique storytelling twist to the biopic and providing moments of levity and comic relief. However, these breaks in the narrative can feel random and occasionally out of place, disrupting the film’s tone. Despite this inconsistency, the fourth-wall-breaking largely succeeds in adding entertaining, lighthearted moments that help keep the story engaging and offer a refreshing contrast to its heavier themes.
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‘Average Joe’ (2024) succeeds in blending heartfelt storytelling, favorable performances, and an inspiring true story of resilience and faith. While the film touches on significant themes of religious freedom and personal conviction, it manages to do so without being overly preachy, offering a balanced exploration of Joe Kennedy’s legal battle. Ultimately, ‘Average Joe’ is a compelling and emotionally resonant film that leaves audiences reflecting on the importance of standing firm in one’s beliefs, even in the face of adversity.
Cast: Eric Close, Paul Rae, Austin Woods, Amy Acker, Anabelle Holloway
Cinematography: Chris Stacey | Director: Harold Cronk | Writer: Stephanie Katz | Producers: Michael Ilitch Jr., Nick Ilitch, Robert Katz, Tracy Keller
By Julia Maia
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