The creators of Singles Ward and The R.M. are at it again with another entry in the LDS film market, this one aptly titled Home Teachers.

If you're familiar with the LDS church, then you're well aware of what the film's title refers to. If not, it's simply a practice the Church encourages of sending two men around to a handful of assigned families in their ward just to check on their well-being and impart a lesson. Which usually amounts to shootin' the breeze, talking about the Jazz, that sort of thing.

In this broad (too broad for my taste) comedy, an upstanding and all-to-spiritual member of the church teams up with another member who seems to be his polar opposite. While out home teaching, the two men disagree on nearly everything, and quite implausibly, they find themselves on one heck of a disastrous road trip. This instantly brought to mind shades of Planes, Trains and Automobiles.

It's no surprise that moments of this picture are reminiscent of the works of John Hughes, as writer/director Kurt Hale appears to be a huge fan. The R.M. was basically an LDS version of Sixteen Candles, minus most of the comedy. While I certainly liked The R.M. more than Home Teachers, it doesn't measure up to Singles Ward, a movie that, while not perfect, I found surprisingly funny. That film had nerve and even had it's central character telling Mormon jokes while performing at a stand up comedy club.

I'm not implying that jokes at the church's expense are necessary to appeal to me, I'm merely stating that it's nice, once in a while, to not take things so darned seriously all the time, and Hale does seem to keep this in mind while making these films. He has the good sense to realize that even God has a sense of humor.

With Home Teachers, Hale plays both sides of the coin. While both central characters are church members, one is very carefree while the other is clearly overzealous. During their crazy little road trip, they learn quite a bit about each other and their differing opinions regarding their shared religion. Though, this portion of the film had it's moments, Steve Martin and John Candy they're not.

There are some truly funny moments in this picture. Watching Jeff Birk lip syncing to CD recordings of the scriptures was a hoot, and Michael Birkeland shows true potential for physical comedy. I also liked some of the nastier moments in this picture including a funeral from hell. But for every moment that works are three or four that don't. Comedy is tricky business and there is such a thing as too broad. Many moments (most notably, a sequence in which Birkeland does battle with a clogged toilet), go way over the top. And don't get me started on Home Teachers' production values. It was obviously shot on a shoestring budget, and it shows. I don't mean to suggest that little money necessarily means bad movie. Sometimes, a smart screenplay, strong acting, or a defining tone can make all the difference
(see Pi, Boys Don't Cry, or Blair Witch Project).

This movie was made rather quickly, and while it isn't the picture that will take the LDS film market to that next level, it made me laugh more than The R.M. and I have no doubt that church members will get a kick out of the familiar subject matter. With any luck, it will pave the way for stronger pictures with LDS themes such as the terrific Saints and Soldiers, which made it's debut at The Eclipse Film Festival. For more insight into this and other LDS films, check out our friend Eric Snider, one of the brightest minds in the Beehive state at <a href="http://ericdsnider.com">ericdsnider.com</a>