David Wain’s episodic comedy is based on the Ten Commandments, but only in the loosest way possible: It’s got ten stories each based on each of the commandments, all with an all-star comedy cast that seems game for just about anything. Some of the segments – like “Thou Shalt Honour Thy Father and Mother” and “Thou Shalt Not Covet Thy Neighbor’s House” – are well-intentioned but fall flat. Luckily there are a number of downright hilarious segments like “Thou Shall Not Murder” and, in particular, “Thou Shalt Not Have Any Other Gods Before Me” that make the whole movie a pleasure to watch: In particular, the “Thou Shalt Not Steal” segment features a downright hilarious performance by Winona Ryder, who displays a manic comedic talent and go-for-broke sensibility that she’s rarely shown before.
Rating: ★★★★ (out of 5)
