Jesus' Son

Jesus' Son is a 1999 drama film that was adapted from the eponymous short story collection by Denis Johnson. The film stars Billy Crudup, Samantha Morton, Holly Hunter, and Dennis Hopper, with Denis Leary, Will Patton, John Ventimiglia, Michael Shannon, and Jack Black in supporting roles. The film was directed by Alison Maclean and written by Elizabeth Cuthrell, David Urrutia, and Oren Moverman. It was awarded the Little Golden Lion award and the Ecumenical Award at the 1999 Venice Film Festival, and was named one of the top ten films of the year by The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times. The title is taken from the lyrics of "Heroin", a 1966 song by the Velvet Underground. Plot F.H., who earned his nickname because of his self-destructive personality, recounts the story of his descent into heroin addiction and his eventual recovery. His story starts in Iowa City in 1971, where as an aimless young man he meets Michelle and becomes romantically involved with her. His retellings include a stint as an orderly in a hospital and a position as a newsletter editor at an elderly care home in Arizona. When F.H. gets into a car accident, he is forced to straighten out his life and spend time in rehab. Along his journeys, F.H. encounters a succession of interesting characters.