This week a new LDS comedy is headed to theaters (in Utah at least). Suits on the Loose adds some new faces to the genre, but is it just another cheesy Mormon movie? Read more for our review of the newest film from Halestorm.

My interest in this film began with its unique premise. Two juvenile delinquents escape from a detention camp, “borrow” a car from two LDS missionaries and impersonate Elders while laying low from the authorities. This is all packaged in a light-hearted comedy/drama.

It goes without saying that there are a plethora of opportunities for humor in this setting – particularly about the quirks of missionaries and the misunderstandings of two guys trying to pass themselves off as Elders without a clue about the Church. I was impressed with the filmmakers ability to achieve humor without belittling the beliefs or lifestyle of members of the LDS faith.

Too many LDS comedies to date have capitalized off of awkward elements of Mormon culture. Self deprecating displays of Utah cliche really aren’t that funny anymore. Without ranting on, I can say that Suits on the Loose is an improvement in this respect. Some fun is had at the youthful idealism of the missionaries, but respect for the work is preserved.

You will recognize some actors from outside the LDS film realm. Overall the acting is convincing and entertaining. There are a couple of characters that simply would not have worked without the talent put into them. While a some of the more peripheral characters are pretty static, the main characters evolve through the movie, and hold your interest.

The story moves. The plot is fairly plausible and wraps things up in a tidy package at the end. The production quality of the film is very good. The portrayal on missionary work and members of the Church is very realistic. As I mentioned before, the humor in this movie comes from the unique situation the characters find themselves in – not from poking fun at the Church. This makes it a good movie for audiences both inside and outside the Church.

I liked this movie. It has a positive message – but nothing life-altering or too unpredictable. The real fun in this movie comes from the humor. It’s not miraculous. It doesn’t have to be. Instead its a classic ‘what if’ story that’s entertaining without intensity, funny without being disrespectful and heartwarming without going over the top. It fits well for the family, might be hard to understand for kids under 12.

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