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It all started about 40 years ago, when author Noah Benshea (playing himself) started to write inspirational tales about a simple baker, Jacob, who proves to be wise beyond his means, and who pretty much becomes the teacher/pholosopher/sage of his community. And while the Jacob the Baker books don't adress any specific faith, they deal with many religious questions and are ultimately understood by people of all faiths. And nowadays, Noah Banshea gets letters sent to Jacob the Baker, asking his fictional character for advice - so much so that he has turned his replies to some of these letters in a one man non-scripted stage show, to broaden the audience for his often universal advice.

This process, as mentioned, has taken about 4 decades to come to fruitiion, at the end of which stands a ambitious reporter made cynical by too many opportunities she's been denied for various reasons, who has come to a point where she considers interviewing yet another "inspirational author" beneath her - but of course she has little choice but to accept the asignment, and finds Noah rather not what she has expected him to be. And soon, she finds herself in a situation where she could need advice ...

Now Jacob the Baker is nothing if not inspirational, and that's for two reasons, for one Noah Benshea has just the right charisma to not come across as dogmatic, teacher-like or holier-than-though, and likewise, his message, even if driven home bluntly (as that's the point of the film) is actually very un-intrusive, a basis for personal growth rather than a how-to guide to become a "better person". That said, what really makes this film work is that it, within the framework of the interview in its center and the aftermath, shows scope, isn't focusing on some standardized sob stories but literally travels around the world (with scenes set in the US, Denmark, Italy, Israel and South Korea), touching many different cultures and beliefs in the process - and heck, even if movies like this totally aren't your thing, it's almost safe to say you will be taking something positive away from watching this.

review © by Mike Haberfelner

 

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