Watch Friends of God: A Road Trip with Alexandra Pelosi

Friends of God: A Road Trip with Alexandra Pelosi is a 2007 documentary film that follows filmmaker Alexandra Pelosi, the daughter of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, on a journey through the heartland of America. Her goal is to explore the world of evangelical Christianity and the role that it plays in the lives of millions of Americans.

Pelosi begins her journey in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the home of the New Life Church and its founder, Pastor Ted Haggard. Haggard was at the height of his influence within the evangelical movement at that time and had strong connections to the Bush administration, which made him a key figure in the burgeoning culture wars of the time. Pelosi was granted unprecedented access to Haggard and his congregation, and the film provides a fascinating glimpse into their world and beliefs.

From there, Pelosi travels to Houston, Texas, where she interviews Joel Osteen, the pastor of the Lakewood Church, one of the largest mega-churches in the country. Osteen is a TV personality who preaches a message of prosperity and positivity, and his message has resonated with millions of viewers around the world. Pelosi's interviews with Osteen and his followers shed light on the appeal of the prosperity gospel and the challenges that it poses for traditional Christianity.

The documentary also features interviews with other prominent figures in the evangelical movement, including evangelist Mike Huckabee and actor Robert Vaughn, who is a born-again Christian. Pelosi also visits some of the most controversial and divisive figures in the movement, such as Pastor Fred Phelps of the Westboro Baptist Church, known for its extreme anti-gay protests. Pelosi's interviews with these figures provide an unflinching look at some of the darker corners of the evangelical movement.

What makes Friends of God so compelling is Pelosi's approach to her subject matter. She is not interested in debunking or mocking the beliefs of her interviewees, but rather in understanding them and the role that they play in the lives of millions of Americans. She manages to maintain her own skepticism and critical distance while also showing a genuine interest in and empathy for her subjects. This approach allows her to delve into some of the more contentious issues surrounding the movement, such as its political influence and its relationship with the media.

Overall, Friends of God is a fascinating, thought-provoking, and often entertaining documentary that offers a vivid portrait of the complex and multifaceted world of evangelical Christianity. Pelosi's interviews with a variety of figures in the movement, along with her deft blending of humor and insight, make this film a must-see for anyone interested in understanding the role of religion in contemporary America.

Friends of God: A Road Trip with Alexandra Pelosi is a 2007 documentary with a runtime of 57 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.