The Apostle
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Movie Reviews of The Apostle
Movie Review: A Very Rich Tapestry!
Summary: 5 Stars
Had I been reviewing this film a year ago, when I first saw it, it may have gotten 2 stars. With my first viewing, I wasn't able to give this film full attention, and this really is a film that demands ones attention, for its nuances of character and flavor. In other words, this is not a plot film - it is a film about character, local color, and a drama so 'under the surface' that if you're not careful, you'll miss it entirely. So this time, I watched with care and I loved every sweet minute. That's why I give it a 5, rather than a 2. Sonny, a traveling preacher based in Texas, hasn't been the greatest of husbands and hasn't the greatest of wives. Before you know it, he discover's that his wife is seeing someone else, and want's him gone. What happens next, I won't say, except to tell you that now, Sonny is running not only from his past but from the law as well. Starting anew in Bayou Boutte, Louisiana, we watch Sonny build a small new congregation from the ground up with pure determination and a drive that is made all the more intense by guilt. Sonny, now called "The Apostle E.F." knows it is only a matter of time before his past and the law catch him, and he is intent on making every minute count. Has he succeeded?
What makes this picture shine is not plot or action, but characters and flavor. Duvall is quite simply one of the best there is and he (as writer, director, and actor) brings out the true subtle beauty in the character, his spirit, and the music that is country preaching (we get quite a few extended sermons and even to a non-believer like me, they are riveting).
What's more, Duvall went out of his way to cast mostly non-actors and becasue of that, the flavor of Bayou Boutte and the life of a country congregation really shines. Except for Duvall and Beasley, all of the preachers, even, are not only real preachers, but are giving real sermons. Because of all this, this film has all the complicated beauty of life itself, that usually go unnoticed untill a film like this brings them to the forefront for us to take a splendedly fresh look at. The results are simply marvelous.
To conclude, this film is true art. Art, that is, that taks the real and makes it beautiful again (with out prettying it up). The character of Sonny, Bayou Boutte, and "The One Way Road To Heaven" congregation are not images you will soon forget.
Movie Review: The most honost film I've seen in terms of dealing with.....
Summary: 5 Stars
...Christianity. Many Christians I know despise this film. I think it's mainly because The Apostle shows the bitter truth behind the men and women who serve God. This film is not apologetic or remotely reverent; it is brutally honest and actually, when considered closely, quite refreshing. Rovert Duvall, in a role that was destined for him, plays the part of a eccentric preacher who is running from his problems. His problems, and there are many, force him to leave his mega-church and flee from police. His actions - which I won't spoil - are shocking but somewhat justifiable.
When out of town, the Apostle begins a multi-racial church in the deep south, cutting cross dividing lines while vigorously regaining his passion for the Lord. In it is in these moments, when he confronts his own lusts and fears, that the character of the Apostle shines through in honest, heart-bursting segments. He is a broken man, but still a man of God, just as many of the men and women of the Bible are. Bruised, battered, yet still willing. That's what I loved about this film. It is a true depiction of people who follow Jesus. We have misgivings, tempers, pride and lusts, yet, when it's all said and done, we can still move on.
There is one segment, when a racist bigot - played handsomely by Billy Bob Thorton -threatens to tear down the mult-racial church. The scene ends with Thorton's exclusionary character on his knees in deep remorse and weeping for forgiveness. It's a beautiful thing to behold.
This film is ruggedly honest and will make the pious and self-righteous crowd cringe with prudent dissaproval. But hey, those of you who are in touch with reality will probably love this film. I'm a preacher's kid and I know an honest attempt when I see one. This is it. Enjoy!
Movie Review: The Good & Bad Of 'The Apostle
Summary: 5 Stars
Although I have mixed emotions about this film, which created quite a stir when it came out, I have always enjoyed watching it and find it utterly fascinating.
This is a powerful story of a very flawed-but very sincere Pentecostal preacher from Texas who flees after fatally slugging his adulterous wife's lover with a baseball bat! As it turns out. "Sonny" (Robert Duvall), winds up starting a rural church from scratch in a small town in Louisiana, and, what happens after that I won't say, but it's interestng.
Duvall gives a tremendous acting performance in here, one of the best I've seen on film. He dominates the picture from start-to-finish. There are some good messages in here, too.
By the why, I don't know ANY minister (or priest) who would do all the bad things you see in this movie, including his wife and youth minister, but it makes for a good story, film-wise. To those anti-church readers out there, I'm sorry but this is not the way it is, by any means.
Yet, despite all that, this is not your typical anti-Christian film ,which is why no major studio would fund this movie. Duvall had to put his own money into this. Hollywood didn't want to back a film in which "people being saved" means a great deal. There even s a dramatic conversion scene with Billy Bob Thornton, of all people! Hey, with God all things are possible.
The more I watch this movie, the more I appreciate the cinematography in here. I enjoyed the music, too. This is a strange film full of "good" and "bad" people and their actions and a movie, I suspect, people would either love or hate. I loved it and now would like to see it on Blu-Ray some day.
Movie Review: As real as life
Summary: 5 Stars
What a passion for Christ!
As they say in "The making of the Apostle": Sometimes we didn't know if they were acting or it was real. I don't think there can be a more honest approach to the work of Christian evangelizers in American film history. Simply put, it's a great film, very emotional, very spiritual, and very human. Robert Duvall plays a Texas preacher whose wife cheats on him and fills for divorce. Then she even takes away his church from him (I didn't understand how that happened, though). The course of events sets him on a journey to meet his fate, which is no other than to continue giving out the Word in the holy name of Jesus.
Duvall plays an honest and true Christian preacher, but at the same time a very real man, with his own flaws and temptations. Eliminating the darker side of this man from the story, I think, wouldn't have paid a better tribute to truth, not would it have made a better film. The important thing that comes up here is the honesty (the reality) of Christian worship. There is no mockery of Christians. There is no intention to evangelize either. This is not a Christian film; it is a film about Christians, true Christians, spirit filled followers of Christ.
Even if non believers can't find anything here to move them closer to the Lord, at least they will have an insider's view of a Spirit filled church. So many people are put off by religion, but this is not about religion, as you see in liberal churches, this is the real Thing. All the characters are played superbly. The 2 hours and 10 minutes pass real fast.
Movie Review: Outstanding
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one of those films that gets better and better every time you watch it. It has so many layers of reality built into it that you really **need** to watch it more than once, just to pick-up all the subtleties. This is especially true if you're from the South and/or have had some exposure to Pentacostal evangelism. ~ I read somewhere that Robert Duvall wanted to get this story made into a movie for many years before he finally managed to find a studio that would accept it and do it the way he wanted it. I can't praise him enough for this effort - and the patience it required. I don't want to give away the plot, but this movie is probably the best demonstration of the intricacies of human nature I have ever seen on film. Put simply, we see a preacher who makes a bad mistake in an unthinking moment early in the story but who is so driven by his faith and his calling to preach that he decides to keep following this calling anyway. As the story progresses, we also see that a preacher is just as human as we all are, with our similar quirks, weaknesses, and temptations, along with - sometimes - astounding strengths. The climax near the end of the story will tear your heart out; but the final scenes will put it right back where you want it to be. ~ Nothing I've written here can do justice to this wonderful film. Buy it - and watch it at least two or three times. Even if you're a pagan or an atheist, you'll still find much to enjoy and appreciate about this movie. It's that good.