The Apostle
|
List Price: Our Price: $7.29 You Save: $5.65 (44%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $7.15 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of The Apostle
Movie Review: A complex, moving depiction of faith, Christianity, and humanity...
Summary: 5 Stars
I really liked this film. This film offers something much more than the usual "southern people are inbreeders, racists, and homophobes". It shows a complicated man, played by Robert Duvall, who is not a perfect man, but who is in fact, well, he did something that's a felon, we'll say. But here he is desperately trying to redeem himself and that of his small flock in a small town in Louisiana. This is a really wonderful, sincere, and at times, spellbinding film, one that shows a much more nuanced, complex, and quite moving portrayal of the deep South, something that Hollywood never offers. Films that show the complexities of faith really scare Hollywood and the left, as they dismiss anyone of the Chrisitian faith as a right winger hater. While many calling themselves Christians (preachers of the ilk of Falwell and James Dobson) embrace the "god hates fags and abortions" line (and ignore everything else in the gospel), they do so simply to attain political power more than anything else, and have no real desire to help their fellow man spiritually. Duvall's character here isn't like that at all. He is a man who truly wants to be delivered and saved, and that makes a lot of people who dismiss faith very uncomfortable. I really loved this film, as it makes you feel and think, an excellent combination. Duvall should be commended for this film, as he financed it completely on his own, and it's one of his best films.Movie Review: Glory, Glory to God! Hallelujah, Thank you, Jesus!
Summary: 5 Stars
...and I say that as a Buddhist.
I both live and work in Hollywood, and this must have been a very tough picture for Robert Duvall to get made. "The Industry" tends to treat religious faith with contempt and ridicule -- Hollywood can't believe there are people who actually place their faith in anything besides fame and money. Religious people end up being treated in film as either comically delusional or slick confidence artists. Hollywood lives in a cultural bubble of its own making and just can't understand any other set of values.
In contrast, this film really reflects the Pentacostal communities of Texas and Louisiana, and does so without looking down at the people who live there. How refreshing. I'd be very curious to know how this movie works for people in the UK or other countries.
This is one of my favorite movies - I have seen it several times.
I really admire Robert Duvall for working to make this picture a reality. The character he plays is a three-dimensional, flawed human being who is "on fire for the Lord". He'll minister to anybody, anywhere. And he's most at home with a shoutin' congregation in a shoutin' church.
Jack Nicholson won the Oscar for Best Actor in 1997 ("As Good as it Gets"), and I think Duvall got robbed. R-O-B-B-E-D. Robbed.
Somebody say "Amen".
Movie Review: No matter the circumstances, no matter the situation. Faith endures.
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a great movie. Like the Bible, it deals with humanity as it is, not as it is supposed to be. Christ is perfect. We Christians are not perfect...at least not yet. :-)
Contrary to what some have said, this movie is a movie that Christians should see. It portrays the faith in very positive terms. Not as the hypocritical, legalistic and club-like modern (organized) churches, but as the passionate faith that drives us to struggle against the our own nature as we seek a relationship with our Creator. (Important side note, while Christianity is about individual faith, it will always draw us away from ourselves and into Communion with God and other Christians, and even to our enemies beyond the Church.)
There are several scenes that stand out in this movie. For example, the scene where Sonny praises a clergyman from another faith tradition as having different ways of doing the same job...sharing the good news that Jesus Christ has saved us from ourselves.
My favorite scene is the very last one in the movie. To comment further would give it away. I just hope that you will watch the movie to see it. :-)
The Christian Faith is passion for the one-and-only God who is our Creator, Savior, and Spiritual Guide. The Apostle shows this passion.
Movie Review: The Human Factor of Christianity
Summary: 5 Stars
As a Christian still living in "the world," I am well aware of the pitfalls of the flesh. What Robert Duvall created in this powerful script, and his portrayal of "Sonny" on screen, was a real life dramatization of "living the life" but not always to perfection. Unfortunately, anger and jealousy get the better of him, causing Sonny to carry out a brutal attack against his estranged wife's (Farrah Fawcett) new lover. But the atmosphere is real, and the Christian lifestyle is beautifully captured by Mr. Duvall's excellent eye as Director. From Tent Revivals to a Christian Men's Conference, the spirit of Pentocostalism comes across almost like a documentary at times. Almost reminiscent of the 1972 Academy Award winner "Marjoe."
A remarkable study of an obviously sincere man, falling but attempting to start over anew by God's saving Grace. Yet in the end, as so many "believers" often forget, along with Grace comes God's Justice. A reminder that we are sinners saved By Grace, and still trying to walk daily in Christ's footsteps.
A moving story of Christian struggles often forgotten by Hollywood. Who ever knew Robert Duvall was such a good preacher? An outstanding cast of players.
Movie Review: Duvall is magnificent in this movie
Summary: 5 Stars
I don't go to many movies, but I sure did like The Apostle. I liked it enough to buy the VCR and then the DVD when it came out. Then I bought a second DVD and put it in my safety deposit box. I probably have viewed this entire movie at least 15 times over the past few years. I have a good part of the script memorized. That Duvall is a truly great actor is a given. What isn't mentioned much in the reviews is the true-to-life setting in rural Louisiana and the moving, upspirited black choirs who I'm sure were local people. They were great! Also rarely mentioned in the reviews is the brief appearance of legendary country singer Billy Jo Shaver, who is Sonny's (Duvall) best friend in the film. I was impressed with Shaver's performance, and after I saw him, I started following his performance schedule as he trucked around the southwest. Presently at age 70, he's still on the road performing at roadside honkeytonks in Texas and Oklahoma. Billy Jo is the real deal, and he made The Apostle even more memorable. I'm glad Duvall gave Billy Jo a shot in this first-rate film.