Waiting for the Light
"Jesus hits like an atom bomb," or so claims the spirited gospel tune  that opens this inspired tale of practical jokes and providence during the Cuban  Missile Crisis. The criminally underused Teri Garr is marvelous as the single  mom who moves her irrepressibly theatrical Auntie Z (Shirley MacLaine in gypsy  fortune teller regalia) and two prank-loving kids from Chicago to rural  Washington State. Promises of good behavior to the contrary, Auntie Z whips up a  flash powder and sleight-of-hand gag for their bitter hermit of a neighbor. A  twist (of divine intervention?) transforms the prank into a holy vision and the  rush of faith in their reborn neighbor spreads as the cold war heats up. Writer-director Christopher Monger refuses to ridicule any of his characters in this  unjustly neglected comedy, a smart, sly, and ultimately profound portrait of the  power of faith and forgiveness in times of fear.--Sean Axmaker