“In-Lawfully Yours” is an off-beat but funny romantic comedy about a young woman named Jesse (Chelsey Crisp), who influences the widower-pastor of Bethel Cove after she is divorced from her cheating husband, Chaz. She moves in with her ex-mother-in-law, Naomi (Marilu Henner), and meets Naomi’s ex son-in-law, who was married to her daughter until her daughter passed away. Her son-in-law, Ben (Joe Williamson), a pastor, becomes enchanted with Jesse, who is upfront, eccentric, and funny. She is also curious about God and interrupts Pastor Ben’s sermons to ask questions about God and the Bible. Her unorthodox ways begin to win over people in the church, although some of them get their feathers ruffled. The church begins to grow, too.
When her ex, Chaz, has the opportunity to make some big money by selling his mother Naomi’s home, he pushes to get his mom out of there. Everything comes to a head, but when Jesse seeks the Lord by staying all night in church, circumstances finally begin to fall into place. Jesse will amuse the viewer as she pronounces Job from the Bible like a “job” you work at and when she almost “makes change” when the offering plate is passed. Her charm not only wins over Pastor Ben, who is finally ready to move on since his wife died, but even the critical women of the church. Corbin Bernsen gives a good performance as a priest who is helpful to Jesse at church.
We are enthusiastic about awarding “In-Lawfully Yours” our “Faith-Friendly” Seal for ages 12-plus. Like Jesse, it is just a bit rough around the edges but has a heart of gold and promotes God as the one people should seek.
