Rating: 
Summary: It's Just A Job, 7 Days A Week...
Review: ....my wife can be unintentionally hilarious. She just came from a trip visiting her big sis out of town and had the opportunity to go to church with her. She says of her sister's pastor, "He can really, really preach. I liked him a lot. And he was really skinny--that's how you can tell whether a preacher is gonna be good, if he's skinny. That means he actually fasts and prays a lot to deliver the word..."My response to her opinion was my customary speechlessness. What's this got to do with "Leap of Faith"? Well...Martin here is skinny... No, I just want to be another customer reviewer who has great praise for the film and all the principals--Winger, Martin, Neesom, Davidovich (sp?). And contrary to what a few of the other reviewers said below, one can take exactly the same message from this as you can "Elmer Gantry". Caveat Emptor...
Rating: 
Summary: Very real, and thought provoking. Excellent performances!!!
Review: Being a minister, there were parts that came real close to home in that many view Evangelism as some kind of con job. The methods that were used for conning the public, I am glad were exposed. I am grateful that the powers that be did not allow the good efforts of honest men to go totally attacked. The ending allowed for toleraance and understanding of the world of tent ministry.
Rating:
Summary: One of the enduring all time best movies
Review: I agree with most of the other reviewers. The actors are outstanding, the story is excellent, the twist at the end is great but what holds this movie together for me is the music. The soundtrack is unfortunately not the same as the movie sound track, so we stand in danger of wearing out one place in the movie...the lyrics "I've been cheated, mistreated and misunderstood...I been pushed round, put down and told I'm no good...but with you in my life, you help me be strong...There's a change in my life since you came along." This one song stands out like a beacon, in a sound track full of great music. I am sure we will be buying a second copy of the movie. We re-watch it frequently. My husband's favorite part is the basketball scene where Steve Martin shoots the basket and then does that little gesture with his hands. Superb movie, I have just one question - why is this movie not available on DVD???
Rating:
Summary: A Pleasant Surprise
Review: I had never heard of this movie before I saw it and I wasn't expecting it to be any good--but it is. It's really, really good.
Considering the star status of Steve Martin (who turns out an extrodinary performance in this film) why has it been so overlooked? Martin plays "Jonas Nightengale", a glib traveling evangalist, faith healer, and con man. When one of his trucks breaks down in the impoverished town of Rust Water, Kansas, he sets up his tent and invites the town to a revival. The sheriff (Liam Neeson) is determined to stop Nightengale from seperating the poor and desperate people from what little money they have. At first this film appears to simply be a cynical expose of the tricks fraudulent preachers use to shake down their flocks. But as it progresses it reveals itself to be something much more complex and subtle. At one point Nightengale, when confronted as being a fake, replies, "What difference does it make as long as I get the job done?" Yet when a real miracle occurs, something he can niether explain or control, his lack of faith is shaken and he actually becomes angry with God. As in real life conversions, the film unexpectedly turns you around 180 degrees by the end.
Rating:
Summary: A Pleasant Surprise
Review: I'm surprised this movie is not held in higher esteem by the public and critics. A perfect role for Steve Martin who plays an over the top con man minister trying to score on the local waitress. When the bus breaks down he decides to open a revival and and put some time in the effort. But this farming town is in the depths of depression caused by a drought. Martin deserved an academy award for his brillant portrayal. Great supporting performances by Debra Winger, Liam Neeson and Philip Seymour Hoffman in his first memorable role. The other star of this movie is the excellent score particularly near the end as the author shifts from the con to "could this be real". Not often is the score so prominent in manipulating thre viewer emotionally. I'm agnostic but the story is so uplifting that you can't help but be touched. Also the sweeping scenes of middle Americans is very inspiring in projecting average Americans going about their lives. This movie entertains and mentally challenges the viewer. I score this movie very highly and a must see particularly if you enjoy watching the career journey of the brillant Steve Martin.
Rating:
Summary: Brillant backed by uplifting music score
Review: I'm surprised this movie is not held in higher esteem by the public and critics. A perfect role for Steve Martin who plays an over the top con man minister trying to score on the local waitress. When the bus breaks down he decides to open a revival and and put some time in the effort. But this farming town is in the depths of depression caused by a drought. Martin deserved an academy award for his brillant portrayal. Great supporting performances by Debra Winger, Liam Neeson and Philip Seymour Hoffman in his first memorable role. The other star of this movie is the excellent score particularly near the end as the author shifts from the con to "could this be real". Not often is the score so prominent in manipulating thre viewer emotionally. I'm agnostic but the story is so uplifting that you can't help but be touched. Also the sweeping scenes of middle Americans is very inspiring in projecting average Americans going about their lives. This movie entertains and mentally challenges the viewer. I score this movie very highly and a must see particularly if you enjoy watching the career journey of the brillant Steve Martin.
Rating:
Summary: One of the few movies that was a Must for my library
Review: I, too, can not understand Leonard Maltin's comments on Steve Martin's performance. It is truly spellbinding, backed by one of the best soundtracks you will ever hear. This is a story, remember folks. And Steve Martin and the music tell you that story. You can't take your eyes off of him when he is on stage as Jonas. The other parts are nice, but only provide the backround for the Steve Martin performances. Wish it was on DVD - I'd buy it again!
Rating:
Summary: This was the most spiritually touching show he has ever done
Review: If you want to see a show that touches the soul, even though it's an old one, go see Leap of Faith again; Steve Martin is glorious, a real touch from God has been shown in this movie. I saw it a long time ago, but it has more glamour now than ever. It is September 1999. I am evangelical, and attend a church similar to this type; but I got to tell you, I saw more of Jesus in this movie than I ever did in my 48 years of life. I love Steve Martin, and he is the biggest genius of this century and into the milennium. Good going, Steve, and make some more like Leap of Faith. Love you, dude.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Performance That is Overlooked!
Review: In short, this is an excellent movie. It is well acted and directed with a reasonably strong plot. Steve Martin puts in a wonderful performance as a traveling revival preacher as does Debra Winger as his able right hand. The movie takes the viewer through the myriad scams and schemes Martin's group of con-men use to fleece a small Kansas town. Along the way, however both Martin and Winger are surprised when the show is changed. To me, what was more powerful were the subtle things in the movie. The theme of the movie obviously revolves around the Christian faith but the ideas of the gospel are deeply and finely woven into the fabric of the film. Throughout the film, the ideas found the gospel of Christ are subtly placed for the viewer to find and are a joy to discover.
Rating:
Summary: Look Below the Surface
Review: In short, this is an excellent movie. It is well acted and directed with a reasonably strong plot. Steve Martin puts in a wonderful performance as a traveling revival preacher as does Debra Winger as his able right hand. The movie takes the viewer through the myriad scams and schemes Martin's group of con-men use to fleece a small Kansas town. Along the way, however both Martin and Winger are surprised when the show is changed. To me, what was more powerful were the subtle things in the movie. The theme of the movie obviously revolves around the Christian faith but the ideas of the gospel are deeply and finely woven into the fabric of the film. Throughout the film, the ideas found the gospel of Christ are subtly placed for the viewer to find and are a joy to discover.
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