The Singles Ward

I saw The Singles Ward, an LDS romantic comedy, several years ago, but Joan (my wife) just got it on DVD for Christmas, so we watched it again. I'm still impressed by the production quality of this film: it looks like it was made by a real studio, not a couple of guys with a borrowed video camera. The acting is perfect and the main characters are likeable and believable. Despite the fact that the protagonist often breaks "the fourth wall" (intentionally), this film held my interest and has a satisfying ending.

The plot, without giving too much away, centers around Jonathan Jordan (Will Swenson), a return missionary turned stand-up comic trying to get his life back together after his convert wife (Sedra Santos) leaves him and the Church behind. This effects his faith and commitment to the Church, and he becomes inactive. While he doesn't really hold much resentment towards the Church, he feels he doesn't really have a place in it. He feels uncomfortable in both the singles ward and in a regular family ward. He accidentally runs into the Activities Committee leader, Cammie Giles (Connie Young), who slowly charms him into reactivation. But their relationship is strained by Jonathon's history with the Church and his attitude towards things sacred.

This film introduces Will Swenson, who's appeared in pretty much every LDS film since this one, and Kirby Heyborne, in a supporting role, who went onto star in The R.M. and The Singles 2nd Ward.

The single biggest criticism I have of this film is one that I have of all the Halestorm productions. It is not a problem for me, but it is for other viewers. This film is heavily LDS-centric. Non-LDS viewers will most likely be lost as it lampoons the LDS lifestyle. But this is completely intentional, I'm sure. I don't think Halestorm intended to appeal to anything other than an LDS audiences, and that's fine.

So this DVD is great if you're LDS. If not, it's still watchable, but you'll probably miss some of the best humor in the film.