The Apostle

Rating:
Summary: He deserved the Oscar
Review: After watching "The Apostle," I was convinced that Robert Duvall at least deserved the Oscar for Best Actor, if nothing else. This movie was entirely his creation and you don't need to be a church-goer to appreciate it. You should watch "The Apostle" to see a part of America that many people are unfamiliar with. Any serious film lover will enjoy this movie -- it takes its time to tell a riveting and unusual story.

Rating:
Summary: New York Audiences Stunned
Review: Seeing "The Apostle" in a New York theater was a powerful experience, in part because of the way the audiences reacted (I saw the film 3 different times during the course of 4 weeks). With almost no exception, New Yorkers sat in silence during the film; there were few catcalls or smirks, and in my opinion the faces of those leaving the theater bore expressions of thoughtfulness, not scorn. In a city known for world-class crassness and insensitivity, it was quite notable to sit with strangers in a darkened room watching Duvall portray a powerful, but utterly human, Southern preacher. The Collector's Edition DVD offers many insights into the making of this remarkable film, and for me the value of "The Apostle" is enhanced by the additional material. Not a perfect film, but one made from the heart that may go straight to the heart of many viewers, whether they identify with Southern culture and religion or not.

Rating:
Summary: Great Inspiring Movie! Excellent Truth-Telling Plot!
Review: I thank God for this movie coming out, because like I said before in my review with my old e-mail address, this movie inspired me to respond to my calling to preach. I thank God for using this movie to inspire God's people to trust in him always, and to put him first in EVERYTHING we do! If you haven't seen this movie yet, you're missing out! It is a blessing, and you WILL enjoy it!

Rating:
Summary: An excellent movie about forgiveness and salvation.
Review: It was refreshing to watch a Hollywood movie in which the name of Jesus Christ was praised instead of used in vain.

Rating:
Summary: Simply the Truth!
Review: I really liked the movie Apostle. It inspired me to respond to my call to preach and it is just plain truth. I am what you would call a "Charismatic style" minister. What attracted me to it, was the wording and how it moved its audience. God used this movie, and I know it touched me in a way that only me and God know.

Rating:
Summary: Riveting, disturbing film with a message.
Review: I watched the Apostle, and at first was disturbed by it. Being in the Pentecostal ministry, I was turned off by Sonny's hollow preaching style. But then I remembered that his style wasn't far from a lot of preaching within the Pentecostal ranks. I ended up purchasing the movie months after I first watched it, and it has become my favorite by far. I actually feel uplifted by the film, although Sonny's faults and debacles are certainly not praiseworthy. The reason why I believe that this movie is redeemable is that it is an accurate picture of what happens to so many great men of God: they rise above their peers in stature and status, having a true heart for God, but in their fame and fortune, become haphazard about their relationship with God. Also notice that Sonny had NO accountability in his first church. He only had the one friend, who was more of an idol-worshiping yes-man. As for performance, Mr. Duvall did an excellent job, but his lack of serious faith showed through his role. In closing, this is a good show, with a good message: God calls whom he will, but His man will never be above His divine law.

Rating:
Summary: Rich, nuanced, exquisite
Review: This is Duvall at his best. For those people who crave subtle portraits of contradictory, infuriatingly complex characters whose warmth and conviction never falter. This movie is a jazz performance--Duvall seems to improvise and his genius shines through. One feels spiritually sated after watching The Apostle.

Rating:
Summary: From the heart
Review: When I see a smattering of one star reviews among the 4 and 5 stars, this means to me that a film has really hit its mark. Who could quibble about the lack of resolution or clear cut morality portrayed here? This is, as is much of Duvall's work, a study in REAL human life. Fascinating.

Rating:
Summary: Best damn performace I've ever seen!
Review: It is a crime that Duval didn't win an award for this movie! The only movie I've seen that pysically exausts me so much is Saving Private Ryan. Duval -- and the rest of the cast as well -- is simply incredible.

Rating:
Summary: Well done, but what's the point?
Review: A well written and acted movie, but I fail to see that it has any ultimate message. Good performances all around, both from the stars and the supporting cast. But was the preacher someone whose fate I really cared about? No. Maybe I'm a bit biased because I'm an atheist. The movie really just confirmed my ideas about religious Christians. People putting up a constant façade of religiosity, trying to brainwash themselves with their own façade in order to supress their own inner turmoil. As in real life, when push came to shove, their belief in God had no affect on their actual behavior. Observe Fawcett's preacher's wife whose sacred vow of marriage ultimately meant nothing at all to her (in a creepy resemblence to my own mother) and Duvall's preacher who was prone to acts of violence, and a skirt chaser. Duvall's preacher babbles on and on with his meaningless and vacuous preaching. It's accurate, but you can see the same thing on any old televangelist show. The characters got the miserable lives they deserved, thanks to nature, not God.