Rating: 
Summary: "Move on over, moon and stars!"
Review: "The Apostle", starring Robert Duvall, Farrah Fawcett, Miranda Richardson, and John Beasley, is an outstanding film, beautifully written and acted, breathtaking in its simplicity and yet imbued with complex and deeply etched characters, is a stunning and realistic portrayal of life inside a southern Pentecostal Christian community, and of one man's search for redemption. "The Apostle" is Euliss "Sonny" Dewey, a Pentecostal preacher whose life is forever changed when he commits a horrific act of violence, a crime of passion committed in response to his wife's infidelity. The majority of this beautifully crafted film takes place in the small town of Bayou Boutte Louisiana. After fleeing from justice, Sonny, now self-baptized as "The Apostle E.F.," sets about resurrecting a small Pentecostal church near the town. This "church in the wildwood" had fallen into disuse after the retirement of its pastor, the Reverend C. Charles Blackwell (played by John Beasley). With his infectious smile, eternally effervescent personality, and obvious love for the Lord, the "Apostle E.F." soon sets this bayou community on its ear. In only a few weeks, the "One Way Road to Heaven," as the newly re-created church is called, has grown from only seven to over thirty members. Church members are involved in distributing food to the poor; the Apostle has begun a stirring "Holy Ghost Power" weekly radio broadcast. Sonny's conscience constantly reminds him of the enormity of his crime, forcing him to deal with the issue of balancing God's love with God's justice. How he does this is perhaps the central theme of this marvelous film. How does Sonny react when the "long arm of the law" finally reaches out to bring him to justice? Watch this wonderful film to find out! "The Apostle" was a labor of love for writer/executive producer/star Robert Duvall. It took Duvall fourteen years to see his pet project through to fruition; his commitment is readily evident throughout the film. His performance as "The Apostle" has tremendous depth and credibility. In this veteran actor's hands, the character of Sonny Dewey, with all its complexity, illuminates the screen. Other performances of note are those of John Beasley as the compassionate yet strong-willed Reverend Blackwell; and, in an excellent cameo appearance, June Carter-Cash as Sonny's mother. Only the performance of Farrah Fawcett suffers; her portrayal of Jessie Dewey lacks power. The character she portrays seems too unemotional and detached in every scene in which she appears. "The Apostle" is a wonderfully sensitive, well crafted film which explores many issues confronting humanity: good versus evil; justice versus mercy; and virtue versus vice. This movie provides sensitive answers to pressing questions, and does so without ever becoming moralistic or "preachy." With a top-shelf screenplay and first-rate performances by an excellent cast, "The Apostle" is wonderful entertainment, as well as a movie with an important message.
Rating: 
Summary: Not as masterful as Bresson
Review: I caught Robert Duvall's "The Apostle" (and as writer, director, producer and star it really is HIS film). The video, which picked up the Best Feature prize at the Independent Spirit Awards, is worthy of your attention. Duvall stars as "Sonny", a Southern preacher living in Texas. He's married and has two kids (often referred to as "my beauties") and frequently travels on the revival circuit. But something's not right with his marriage. His wife Jessie (Farrah Fawcett) wants out and has taken to spending the night with another man. He also loses his church, where he's been Pastor for a number of years. Frustrated, he becomes violent and whacks Jessie's boyfriend on the head with a baseball bat - an injury the guy ultimately dies from. Sonny then flees, dumps his car into a river and chucks his wallet. Baptizing himself as God's apostle (hence the title), he starts a new life - willing to go wherever God leads. Taking a beat up old shell of a church - and working odd jobs to finance it's resurrection - he forms a new congregation in a small town in Louisiana. There he's only known as "E.F." or "Apostle", which allows him to continue dodging the cops. "The Apostle" reminded me a little of another terrific Duvall film, "Tender Mercies" (that one also took place in Texas). In that one Duvall played a broken-down country singer who was once great and found redemption working for a young widow. Here he's a fugitive looking to God for redemption. In both films there's a baptism. "The Apostle" contains some remarkable scenes. One involves Billy Bob Thornton, who plays a troublemaker. This character, however, is not well-established (he shows up in the credits without a name, simply as "Troublemaker") and becomes a mere pawn of the plot. The other stand-out scene is the ending, which is certainly memorable. Duvall also gives an admirable self-directed performance.
Rating:
Summary: The Apostle's Epistle
Review: Watch Robert Duvall's 14 year in the making, labor of love 'The Apostle - Collector's Edition' Written, directed, AND personally financed by Robert Duvall in 1998, The Apostle was the culmination of a 14-year effort on the part of its creator, who also cast himself in the starring role as the dynamic southern preacher Sonny AKA "The Apostle E.F." Great supporting cast consisting of Farrah (The Burning Bed) Fawcett, Billy (Sling Blade) Bob Thornton, June Carter Cash as Sonny's devout, southern Baptist "mama" and the incomparable Ms. Miranda Richardson. Many of the minor roles are played by actual
southern ministers and their congregations. This is a film not to be missed... Praise The Lord & Pass The Remote!
Rating:
Summary: Real Faith.
Review: One of the best films of the 1990's is THE APOSTLE. Robert Duvall stars as the gifted Southern preacher, Sonny. Sonny has a great life: he loves his work, he has a beautiful family, and is loved by all in his community. Things turn sour, however, when Sonny discovers his wife is having an affair with the church youth pastor. Sonny goes into a rage, then begins a search for redemption as The Apostle. This is a great film. It is also a movie that shows Christianity in a real and positive light. Part of this is due to the stellar cast: Duvall, Farrah Fawcett, Billy Bob Thornton, and Miranda Richardson. Also, many of the extras were real people, non-actors who were filmed while worshipping God. Nevertheless, the majority of the film's success resides with Duvall. Besides starring, he also wrote, directed, and executive produced. He spent nearly 15 years trying to get this picture made before finally securing enough funding (largely from his own pockedt) to begin filming. Duvall's performance is phenomenal (he was robbed of an Oscar by Jack Nicholson) and his love and passion for the project are seen in the directing and writing as well. THE APOSTLE is a great film with a moving story and powerful message. Thank you, Mr. Duvall and Praise the Lord.
Rating:
Summary: "Move on over, moon and stars!"
Review: "The Apostle", starring Robert Duvall, Farrah Fawcett, Miranda Richardson, and John Beasley, is an outstanding film, beautifully written and acted, breathtaking in its simplicity and yet imbued with complex and deeply etched characters, is a stunning and realistic portrayal of life inside a southern Pentecostal Christian community, and of one man's search for redemption. "The Apostle" is Euliss "Sonny" Dewey, a Pentecostal preacher whose life is forever changed when he commits a horrific act of violence, a crime of passion committed in response to his wife's infidelity. The majority of this beautifully crafted film takes place in the small town of Bayou Boutte Louisiana. After fleeing from justice, Sonny, now self-baptized as "The Apostle E.F.," sets about resurrecting a small Pentecostal church near the town. This "church in the wildwood" had fallen into disuse after the retirement of its pastor, the Reverend C. Charles Blackwell (played by John Beasley). With his infectious smile, eternally effervescent personality, and obvious love for the Lord, the "Apostle E.F." soon sets this bayou community on its ear. In only a few weeks, the "One Way Road to Heaven," as the newly re-created church is called, has grown from only seven to over thirty members. Church members are involved in distributing food to the poor; the Apostle has begun a stirring "Holy Ghost Power" weekly radio broadcast. Sonny's conscience constantly reminds him of the enormity of his crime, forcing him to deal with the issue of balancing God's love with God's justice. How he does this is perhaps the central theme of this marvelous film. How does Sonny react when the "long arm of the law" finally reaches out to bring him to justice? Watch this wonderful film to find out! "The Apostle" was a labor of love for writer/executive producer/star Robert Duvall. It took Duvall fourteen years to see his pet project through to fruition; his commitment is readily evident throughout the film. His performance as "The Apostle" has tremendous depth and credibility. In this veteran actor's hands, the character of Sonny Dewey, with all its complexity, illuminates the screen. Other performances of note are those of John Beasley as the compassionate yet strong-willed Reverend Blackwell; and, in an excellent cameo appearance, June Carter-Cash as Sonny's mother. Only the performance of Farrah Fawcett suffers; her portrayal of Jessie Dewey lacks power. The character she portrays seems too unemotional and detached in every scene in which she appears. "The Apostle" is a wonderfully sensitive, well crafted film which explores many issues confronting humanity: good versus evil; justice versus mercy; and virtue versus vice. This movie provides sensitive answers to pressing questions, and does so without ever becoming moralistic or "preachy." With a top-shelf screenplay and first-rate performances by an excellent cast, "The Apostle" is wonderful entertainment, as well as a movie with an important message.
Rating:
Summary: Faith & Reality
Review: The Apostle (1997) Robert Duvall, well known for his charismatic character Gus in Lonesome Dove, both stars in and directs this film. He plays the charismatic character of a minister named Sonny, who later renames himself through the sacrament of baptism: The Apostle E.F. The baptism through a rite of the church which should be attended by others is self-administered with only nature attending the event. The baptism does not change all of Sonny's ways and neither does his name change. It does however allow him to follow and live out his calling to evangelize for a time as an apostle; one called by God to do a specific vocation in the church, or in this case outside the established church. Like others in our society who have deluded themselves into the belief that by changing their name and geographical location they can escape justice for acts committed against the law and society. But eventually when the past catches up with them, as it does with E.F., then justice prevails. A question that comes to mind is who pays or who is to blame? Is society to blame? Or are the constructs within society the culprit? There are usually two sides, if not more to every action. What Duvall accurately portrays in this film is that the double standard of the patriarchal system is still very much alive. His charismatic style which attracts others to worship at church is also used in another way in his home. His wife Jessie Dewey (Farrah Fawcett) knows his style of manipulation quite well as she refuses to pray with him when he asks, begs, and then orders her to. She resists thus asserting her independence from him. She is no longer a victim to and of his charm and charismatic ways. Thus the stage is set for his later behavior; drunkenness and jealous action. He tries to take by violence what he believes is his, by right of marriage; his wife and children. The act that he commits causes him to go into hiding, by running and covering up his identity. Yet his conscious gets to him, as he calls a friend several times to check on conditions at home. During this time of self-imposed exile he has no contact with his former life except through calls he makes to a friend. This friend informs him of two deaths; that of his former youth pastor and his (Sonny's) mother. The self-imposed exile cut Sonny off from his mother, to whom he was deeply devoted. What caught my voyeur's eye is that Duvall successfully brought belief and faith to the film. Faith and belief in something outside of one's self will sustain and nourish a person; whether it be a relationship with a friend or God. People need the construct of community to live up to their full potential. Sonny proved this as his alter ego E.F. brought a caring sense of community to a depressed people, which helped them to restore and renew their own sense of worth, and relationship to God. In this way he lived up to the call of God within him, without the vanity of his former life as Sonny the Evangelist.
This film is a must have for those who would like to really see the reality of Christianity and faith lived out.
Rating:
Summary: A Very Rich Tapestry!
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: One Of The Best!
Review: This film, by far, is one of my favorite Robert Duvall films. I'm proud to own it on dvd and you should get it as well, if you don't have it already. It starts off a bit slow at first, but then it kicks in and never lets up! Also starring Farrah Fawcett and Billy Bob Thornton. One of the best.
Rating:
Summary: BRINGING DEEP THOUGHT!
Review: "The Apostle" staring Robert Duvall is a film that you will remember long after your viewing. The story of Preacher "Sonny" Dewey is one man's quest to live for the God he loves and his
fight with his own sinful nature and those he loves.
When Sonny's wife is caught in infidelity, Sonny commits a crime of passion and the story takes you with him as he battles for
his redemption. My heart broke for this man many times in this great movie as his pain and suffering were so greatly crafted
upon the screen that they etched their way into your heart.
This is a movie that will leave you deep in thought and will
have you searching your own soul concerning your own redemption.
Well worth your time!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful all the way around
Review: "The Apostle" proves not only what a wonderful actor Robert Duvall is (not that it was ever nessesary), but that he's a good writter (more like a good story teller), and he has as much faith as his charactor (he put up a lot of the money himself). This movie is a slow, methodical examination of the duality of man. Sonny is a good man, a preacher who's devotion to God is beyond reproach. But he is still a sinner; specificly an alcholic and a womanizer with a bad temper. When he finds his wife sleeping with a local stud, Sonny kills him in a fit of rage. He runs away to another state, becomes known simply as the Apostle, and begins a non-segregated church, and starts his redemption down a long, humble road. There is no way I can give this movie justice. The acting by Duvall, Farrah Fawcett (who I usually don't like) and a good apperence by Billy Bob Thornton (returning Duvall the favor of apperaring in "Sling Blade", another gem worth your time) is all beyond so great, I'm tempted to call it devine. Like I said, it is slow, but that is never a problem; it gives the charactors time to be real people instead of just charactors in a movie. The script is grat, and I just can't say enough about the movie.
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