Just so...so bad

Crappy film

This is ultimately a movie about the very bad things that can happen when we don't address our unease, when we just try to brush it off, whether that's to fit in or to preserve our self-image.

There's a more than satisfactory amount of boom-boom in the movie's trim running time.

The first documentary Louis Theroux made about the infamous Phelps family was terrifically well made and is the best film about these nasty cult members. Now, four years later he returns to hang out with these awful people and to update the audience on their status. The problem is that while it is interesting television, it really doesn't add much to what he already did in the first show. Apart from the defection of a couple of the cult members (and this is no surprise, especially since in the first film they acknowledged that this happens from time to time), there isn't much new--they still spew the same sort of hate and viciousness, though they have, inexplicably, set it to modern music by the likes of Lady Gaga! The total effect is muted to say the least if you've seen the first film--which is all you need to do. As far as follow-ups go, this one seemed very premature. Just recently, old Fred Phelps himself, the evil patriarch of this hellish clan, died. Seeing what they are doing without him now is what I am curious about and think most viewers would feel the same. Overall, mildly interesting but a severe case of 'been there/done that' when it comes to the subject matter.

Just watched this and the first film, back to back.I don't know whether to cry, get angry, shake my head in wonderment. Those poor kids being raised in that cult have no idea what it's all about or the long term harm they're being exposed to.I though in the first one that there was some hope for the likes of Jael Phelps- she a stunning young girl who seemed open to discuss her thoughts and even seemed even a little bit receptive to Louis and his questions and concerns. But then you watch this one- she is clearly entrenched into this lifestyle of hate. To take a line from the first film, I'd love to take her out for a coffee and chat with her, to get an insight into her.As for the likes of Steve, wow! He is seriously angry and messed up. I think of a toxic, brainwashed, White supremacist when I listen to him. He hates the world and everyone in it. The vile rubbish that spews from his mouth just makes me cringe.There's nothing really revolutionary in this film but is simply a good follow up- probably better than most sequels that Holly wood puts out!!!

The Phelps family seem like the perfect subject for Louis Theroux since his mode of operation generally is to go into odd or extreme groups (families, hobbies, jobs etc) and chat with the people in an innocent-abroad type way. With the first film he did on them it did actually work and it made for a good film where he was able to explore their believes and question them pretty well; it also helped that Keith Allen did a similar film that was so awful that it made Theroux's look even better by comparison. Suffice to say I didn't think the first film had left the job half-done or that there was a huge area of complexity within the very simple Phelps' family that was untapped, so I wasn't sure what the point of a second film was.After it screened for the first time I read the title and the content and saw that it involved people leaving the group and also a civil law-suit being taken out so perhaps this was going to open the subject out a lot more and give Theroux more cracks to politely ease himself into. Having now seen the film for myself it seemed that, if this was the known aim of the producers then if nothing else it was certainly known to the church members as well because Theroux pretty much gets nothing other than a replay of the things he already got in the first film. What he covers is the same protests, the same unquestioning bigotry of the members and the same presentation of people being knowingly awful but justifying it by convincing themselves that they have a right to be this way – basically the same material of the first film but played again. The law-suit gets a mention and a few former members get a few minutes to talk so we know they are rejected but otherwise it is all the same as the first film.The problem with this is not only that it seems unnecessary but also that, without the "introductory" feel of the first film, there is not exploration to be had and with nothing new to offer it just feels like Theroux was trying to get ratings off the back of the previous film – because the Phelps seem no different here than teenage boys trolling on the internet, happy to shock, happy to upset and convincing themselves that they have a right to do it. It doesn't help that everyone is wise to Theroux this time; "the thing that confuses me..." starts Louis at one point, only to be told "you're not confused", which is totally true, he isn't and it is also evident from other comments that Theroux is seen as a weasel and they are keen to make sure and give him only the party-line without any cracks. Access is noticeably less than in the first film and discussions are not as good. The only good bit is also a repeat of last time, where Louis chats with the 18-year old Grace, which is a repeat of when he did get good material from a couple of the teenage girls. This time though, Grace is surrounded by three other members of the family to make sure Louis can't break her down – it is still good though because Grace is not only quite sweet in her manner but also seems to be a creative photographer and it is sad to see her living how she is.Generally though, there is nothing here and if you've seen the first film on this subject there really isn't a reason to watch this one; and if you haven't seen the first one then why watch this follow-up when the first is much better? I've watched some great Louis Theroux films in the last month (Miami Megajail for example) and have some promising ones coming up (the Extreme Love pairing) but this was a unnecessary film that offers nothing and one of his weaker films as a result.