Leap of Faith
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Movie Reviews of Leap of Faith
Movie Review: A good picture of the spiritual chaos of modern society
Summary: 4 Stars
Very good film about a fake travelling faith healer and his entourage of employees/followers.
The story is simple enough, almost cliché, but there are a few elements that raise the film above the garbage of Hollywood industry (post 1960's). The end has been commented enough, and I agree it's a nice ending. But what interests me most are the roles played by Debra Winger, the fake man's assistant, and the nice-guy sheriff. Watching this movie from a believer's perspective I must say that they both represent the real lost, no matter how nice human beings they are. Jonas Nightengale at least faces reality with honesty; when he leaves the town we know he will not be the same man after all that happened. No matter how big his sin was: using God and the gospel for his own profit. His attitude is sincere. He is not a manipulator, as he said, because his modus operandi is too obvious, only suckers don't notice it. So who is the real smooth operator? Debra Winger?. She acts like she cares about people's feelings getting hurt, and so complains about it to Jonas, but she takes the money. Isn't she more hypocrite than him? This contrast of characters really interested me, the way it was portrayed, subtlely. What about the sheriff, such an (apparently) well-intentioned and nice man? Same thing. Obviously, one does not see him in a bad light during the film. It's afterwards, when one thinks it over. Jonas and the sheriff. The first, may have even accepted Jesus, for real this time, in spite of what he did; the second, such a nice and good fellow though, goes and sleeps with "the devil". Humm, these are the elements that make a film worth watching, that keep you thinking once it's over.
I have to write down the following lines from thescript, I think they are great: JONAS: "-I KNOW I'm a fake. KID: -But what difference does it make if it gets the job done? JONAS: -Kid, it makes all the difference in the world."
That last line is the key line to the movie. Without it the film would be also a whole world different.
One last word about the company of employees that travels along with Jonas. It's a pity there isn't more time devoted to individualize these folks a little, because they are the crowd, the ones who enter the 'wide door' instead of the 'narrow one'; the ones that shouted for Jesus to be crucified, for money, in spite of knowing Him to be innocent. Jonas may enter the narrow door (Christ); these folks are happy as can be with a wide door to hell. Tells you something about lack of character in people. Don't blame others for your faith or the lack of it. Faith is a gift from God. The lack of it is when you become a willing puppet in the hands of manipulators, for money.
Movie Review: Raises questions to consider rather than creating doubt.
Summary: 4 Stars
What I like most about this movie is its refusal to let any point of view win for too long. Sure, Jonas Nightengale is a con man, but he puts on a great show that people love. Many questions are raised by this kind of preacher-congregation relationship. Certainly, this is not saying that all preachers or priests are con men (or is it?), nor is it implying that all religious believers are dupes, fools, or simply an audience watching a show (or is it?).
One of the questions raised is whether the whole religious idea is all just a scam, as Jonas Nightengale embodies it. Obviously not, but it is also true that this kind of scam has a long tradition (read the Canterbury Tales) and continues in full vigor today. The next question is whether the insincerity of the preacher invalidates the faith of the believer. Again, obviously not. However, are believer often too gullible? Absolutely.
This movie is populated with all kinds of believers, non-believers, scammers, scam - enablers, doubters, and more. It is interesting how each of their stories comes up against what Nightengale represents. In some ways he is a screen onto whom they project their doubts, fears, hopes, and dreams. Is that what religion is? For some, maybe. However, I think that such an explanation is really more attractive to non-believers than a real explanation of how religion functions in the lives of believers (not just audiences of folks who are just religious attendees).
The movie does raise the issue of what happens when real belief - actual faith - runs into the scam. I cannot divulge the end of the movie, but it isn't pat in its answer. You can explain it according to your own lights. As a believer, I have a certain view of what the story is getting at. But the story really is more about raising questions to think about rather than trying to insist on a viewpoint of belief or rejection of belief. It even looks at why people might choose to believe or not based on reasons that actually have nothing to do with questions of faith.
The lack of an easy answer to what the movie is about might bother some, but I think it makes it more meaningful for most people. For people of faith, some aspects of Nightengale's scam will feel like the blaspheme they are, but I would urge them to be patient to see where things lead. Remember the story of Saul leads to Damascus by way of the martyrdom of Stephen. No, Nightengale does not become Paul, but just wait.
Movie Review: A Modern-day Parable.
Summary: 4 Stars
Leap of Faith is Hollywood's take on the disturbing subject of 'stealing in the name of the Lord', the lowest form stealing. It's understandable why Christian believers would not want any part of seeing this movie.... but than again, they should be the first to see it as it's premise is nothing new and in no way maligns or mocks their faith, rather, the film is a commentary about fake evangelists and faith-healers out for a buck. The Gospels record such goings on in the first century when Jesus ran everybody out of the temple for turning it into "a den of robbers". OK so the acts were different but the idea is the same: preying on those in need and on their vulnerabilities. In the temple, it was people who came from all over to make sacrifices to atone for their sins, and with bogus evangelists and faith-healers it's their need for salvation and healing.
Steve Martin does a wonderful job at pulling off the heartless con man who cares nothing about the people in a town that has fallen on hard times particularly because of an extended drought. As I stated before, the movie is not jab at Christianity. If anything, it defends it as it makes commentary not only on this bogus faith-healer but also how God - as He does in the pages of the Bible - can take any situation and use it to His Glory and to the benefit to those who believe. In this movie a real miracle takes place that upstages the players. Through the efforts of corrupt sinners preying on sinners looking for help, God is totally in control to bring a blessing and even make the preying one take note. To quote Joseph "What you meant for evil, God meant for good". All in all, we are all in the same boat - sinners needing salvation, not only from Hell but also from our own ways that cause us and others pain and suffering and what a way God chooses to bless humanity not only to allow Himself to become one of us via His Son Jesus but also through humanity itself regardless of the condition.
The movie concludes wonderfully as we find our preacher man having repented and the town is once again blessed.... Rain!
Movie Review: Good fun
Summary: 4 Stars
I had the unique opportunity to review scenes from this film a year before it was released. I was at a mall and got asked if I wanted to participate in an exercise involving film and desserts. I chose film. They lead me into a room and explained they were going to show me proposed preview from an upcoming film release, nothing more.
So the film began and Leap Of Faith was the film.
Afterward, they asked my opinion about the effectiveness of the preview and I told them it needed more information for the viewer as to just what the bloody thing was about. The preview was incomplete with regard to giving me a sense of the film's direction, or at least the basic elements of the plot.
Potential spoiler here:
Well, I later saw the film and fell in love with it because it was not so much about slamming tent "revivals" as much as it was about a huckster being "one upped" by God. The irony was quite wonderful.
So I do recommend this because Steve Martin puts in a great performance that is in line with his more creative schtick. He was a great choice to play the lead for this reason... he really fits the "type", at least what we perceive as the "type" who would become such a person as the character portrayed.
Movie Review: The Well Known Correlation Between MEATLOAF & Word Of Faith!
Summary: 4 Stars
Steve Martin is born to play the starring role of Jonas Nightingale, a travelling huckster, fraud of a faith healer, demon "caster outer", "slay in the spiriter" & more importantly, a money grubbing false prophet. Along with his no-nonsense sidekick manager, Jane, played aptly by Debra Winger, they bilk poor souls from a small town out of their hard earned cash with the oldest profession in the world. No, not prostitution. The selling of the Gospel Of Jesus Christ!This film exhibits many word-faith doctrines such as "positive confession", "gospel of health", "gospel of wealth" and the whole "name it and claim it" belief. More imporantly, what it also has is some great smaller role performances given by Lolita Davidovich as waitress Marva, Lukas Haas as Boyd, Liam Neeson as Will, Philip Seymour Hoffman as Matt, and MEATLOAF as Hoover!
This movie also has a great soundtrack with samplings from Don Henley, Patti LaBelle, Wynonna Judd and of course, the great Meatloaf with "Paradise By The Dashboard Lights"!
Seriously though... This film has a great ending and shows what REAL MIRACLES are made of and EXACTLY where they are made...
A fun & entertaining family film!
Happy Watching!