Rating: 
Summary: Marvelous Martin
Review: What a great film. A spellbinding performance by Steve Martin, who seemingly was born to play this role. He portrays Jonas Nightingale, a traveling huckster of a preacher, who leads an entourage going from town to town bilking poor hopeful people out of what little they do have.Another reviewer was dead on - it is impossible to watch any of his scenes in this film without focusing totally on him. He is so full of the role but not in an overbearing way (unlike Jim Carey whose portrayal as Batman's foil The Riddler, comes to mind as a poor comparison). It's not merely a send up of preaching, Christianity or of films like the great Elmer Gantry (to which it is often compared and found severely lacking). It is much more than that. It is also much much lighter. It also has a brilliant musical score, dominated by some of the most stirring and uplifting gospel music ever to come from any of God's creations. Different from any role Steve Martin ever did. Brilliant!
Rating:
Summary: Marvelous Martin
Review: What a great film. A spellbinding performance by Steve Martin, who seemingly was born to play this role. He portrays Jonas Nightingale, a traveling huckster of a preacher, who leads an entourage going from town to town bilking poor hopeful people out of what little they do have. Another reviewer was dead on - it is impossible to watch any of his scenes in this film without focusing totally on him. He is so full of the role but not in an overbearing way (unlike Jim Carey whose portrayal as Batman's foil The Riddler, comes to mind as a poor comparison). It's not merely a send up of preaching, Christianity or of films like the great Elmer Gantry (to which it is often compared and found severely lacking). It is much more than that. It is also much much lighter. It also has a brilliant musical score, dominated by some of the most stirring and uplifting gospel music ever to come from any of God's creations. Different from any role Steve Martin ever did. Brilliant!
Rating:
Summary: WOW
Review: What an awesome movie! I have already watched so many Steve Martin's movies but in this one he gives us the best performance ever.
Jonah, is a public religious speaker who goes from town to town to heal and give hope to people. A whole team works for him. His main assistant gathers and passes on the information to him about people in the audience. Everything she says he got it through the "GOD" (microphones in his ears)... Very very very funny for us and very very very threatening and serious for phony people such as Benny Hinn and some other wackos like himself. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Rating: 
Summary: A film about a con that goes disaterously right...
Review: When con-man turned preacher Jonas Nightingale rolls into a small town plagued by drought and unemployment he has two things on his mind... getting his truck fixed and separating the locals from what little money they have. Before the film ends he finds himself in the center of a situation that borders on the supernatural. As Jonas finds himself doing the right things for the wrong reasons this hardened huckster finds himself in the last position he expected to find himself... out of control. This movie looks at the life of a traveling evangelist/flim-flam man with an honesty that is at the very least unsettling. It shows some of the "tricks of the trade" in a way that makes you wonder about even the most sincere traveling evangelists. Plus, this film is backed up by some of the finest gospel music ever put on a movie soundtrack. The scene with the choir singing acapella as the crew put up the tents is worth the price of the movie. Steve Martin does a great job as Jonas. Supporting players Debra Winger and Liam Neeson round out a fine cast. I highly recommend this film
Rating:
Summary: One Of Steve Martin's Best
Review: When I was a kid, my favorite movie was "The Music Man". I must have seen it in the theater at least a dozen times (this was before video...). I loved the story of the con man who got caught in his own con and I experienced the same joy watching Steve Martin do his own version of Prof. Harold Hill (now Jonas Nightengale) in "Leap of Faith." This movie was truly misunderstood by most critics (except Roger Ebert) who tried to compare it -unfavorably- with such films as "Elmer Gantry" or characterize it as a statement on televangelism. They also focused too heavily on the emotional, and therefore, "unrealistic" ending. Even worse, the studio mis-marketed the film, and you'll often find it in the comedy section of the video store. Warning: it is not a comedy. Yes, there are light moments- how can there not be with Steve Martin-- but this film is much richer than a typical Steve Martin comedy. Steve Martin's performance is superb and magical and should have been nominated for an Oscar. The film score is tremendous with some of the best gospel singers in the country providing the music- not to mention Meafloaf! Contrary to the critics, I found the ending mesmerizing- left open enough for interpretation, moving, and inspirational. So, ignore most of the critics, approach it with an open mind, and be willing to listen to the message. "I always think there's a band, kid," said Harold Hill in "The Music Man"; "Just because a person doesn't show up doesn't mean the person doesn't care about him," says Jonas Nightengale in "Leap of Faith". Enjoy! It's even better on DVD!
Rating:
Summary: This video is completely underrated
Review: With a cast that contains not only the wonderful Steve Martin, but Debra Winger, Liam Neeson and Meatloaf as well, this video is full of humor and explores the "other" side of traveling evangelical shows and the impact they have on the communities they visit. Even if the story wasn't great the gospel music that scores this flick makes the video worth the money!!
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