Christmas on Salvation Street, a 2015 film from director Ralph E. Portillo is a simple tale that, while being terribly hokey, is unashamedly all about good intentions. Sad, recently widowed suburban preacher Noah (Joe Pacheco) receives a letter from an old pal in the city and believes this is a message from God. So, he packs up his two teenage daughters and moves them to a struggling inner city mission in a rundown, gang-infested area. The girls aren’t happy. Mild problems ensue. At Christmas.
Pacheco gives a delightfully sincere performance as the rudderless preacher, determined to do some real good in the world. He seems like a stand-up guy and never comes off as patronising, even when boldly imploring L.A. gangbangers to read the bible and sort their lives out. The acting amongst the younger cast members isn’t the best with some of these kids struggling to appear menacing as proper street thugs. Still, it’s hard to criticise the film too much as its intentions are so pure, even if it does present diabolically simple solutions to complex social issues. Got gang problems? Yo ass needs Jesus.
It’s another heavily faith-driven film but one where the filmmakers are careful not to lay it on too thick with the religious messaging. After Kirk Cameron’s horrific antics, this is a very easy, if underwhelming watch. This could possibly be accused of being a bit dodgy, with Noah possibly being read as the ‘white saviour’, coming in and ‘fixing’ the problems for racial minorities but I find that sort of reductive reading does the film a disservice. It’s an encouraging tale about choosing a new path, challenging yourself and being brave. What’s Noah going to do? Not help people, just because he’s white?
Admittedly, some of the things that happen are quite laughable. At one point, a guy tries to steal Noah’s car but not only does the preacher talk him out of it, he convinces the dude to join the church and by the end they’re best buddies. That’s very nice but I can’t help but think of the guy that tried to steal my dad’s car when we were young. We didn’t invite him in for tea - I’m pretty sure my dad chased him with a sword. Maybe Dad’s ass needs Jesus.
The film’s full of good messages about poverty and about using what you have to do good for others, which is very Christmassy, though a little heavy-handed. It would be instantly forgettable were it not for Pacheco who is immensely affable and I’d like to see him in more things. This one was fine.
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