This is a spoiler-free review of HBO’s The Righteous Gemstones. Support HBO and The Righteous Gemstones by watching through HBO.
Overview
The Righteous Gemstones came from the same heavenly minds that created Eastbound & Down and Vice Principals. If you’ve never seen these shows, then you need to check it out. These shows showcase Danny McBride at his most McBride.
The Righteous Gemstones follows the Gemstone family, and their legacy of world-famous televangelists. We get the privilege of seeing their lives behind the scenes. While they play angels on television, they are anything but when the cameras stop. If you’ve ever scoffed at televangelists like Jimmy Swaggart or Joel Osteen, you will love this hilarious take on the subject.
The Father
The Patriarch of the family, Eli Gemstone, is played by the incredible John Goodman. He’s the (remaining) glue that’s barely keeping the family together. His performance hearkens back to “Big Dan” in O’ Brother, Where Art Thou? as his silver tongue and godly demeanor will captivate you in every way. I personally love the depth they’ve given his character. Underneath the corruption, you can feel the love he has for his family and the pain he hides away.
The Son
Danny McBride plays Jesse Gemstone, the eldest of the three Gemstone siblings. This may be my favorite Danny McBride performance, as he has really embraced his character as a televangelist. He brings a lot of heart to the show, while also being its focus.
Edi Patterson plays Judy Gemstone, the middle child. She may be the funniest part of this show, as she’s grown into a character to both love and hate.
Adam Devine plays Kelvin Gemstone, the youngest and wildest. I’ve never really been a fan of his, but he’s really stepped up in this performance. How can you not, when you share the screen with a legend like John Goodman?
The Spirit
This show has kept me captivated from the opening scene. At first glance, you would think this show would just be another bash on Christianity, but it’s none of that. The shows focus is on this troubled family of televangelists, and the wacky hi-jinks they seem to fall into. Danny McBride has been a writer and producer for Eastbound & Down, Vice Principals, and now The Righteous Gemstones. I’m always surprised at how unlikable the main characters are, yet how easily it is to care about them. This is excellent writing, and The Righteous Gemstones may be McBride’s best work yet.
Check out The Righteous Gemstones, only on HBO.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sean Smith
Student Author - Fall 2019
Sean Smith is a student at Gulf Coast State College. He’s obsessed with film to the point of blurring the realities between it and real life. When he’s not rewatching The Office to see if Pam is the TRUE villain of the series, he’s working full-time and doing homework (like this). FADE OUT TO BLACK
