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Summary: Truly a story of determination and inspiration
Review: The Apostle is the story of a Souther Baptist preacher who has to struggle through the Hell of his own creation. He does bad things, but is not a bad man. It explores the human side of men of the cloth and how they, too, have faults, temptations, and struggles just like you and me. In a short time span, you see Sonny (Duvall) lose the three things on this planet he loves most: his wife, his kids, and his ministry. As he picks up the pieces of his life, he comes across and befriends (mostly) more people that he begins to hold dear.This is Billy Bob Thornton's best performance ever. Ironically, it's also the smallest role in recent memory for Thornton. Proving that it's quality, not quantity, Thornton's presence is ominous and is worty of an Oscar. Without giving too much away, this heartwarming inspriation of a movie should be on EVERYONE'S movie collection.
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Summary: The Best Movie of 1997
Review: Actors who whine about the lack of good roles in films should do what Mr. Duvall did--write it themselves, direct the film, put up their own money. This film will stand as one of the greatest cinematic achievements of the 1990s. It's wonderful to see a movie in which a deeply religious character isn't seen as a caricature or holier-than-thou. Sonny is a good man, but he has his flaws.
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Summary: excellent movie
Review: This movie is excellent. It appears to me that Mr. Duvall was trying to show that preachers are human. When Sonny saw Doucie (a woman he had dated) sitting at a table in the restaurant with her husband and 2 children, apparently reconciled or in the process of being reconciled to her husband: Sonny was rattled by that. He seems to have realized that God was "after" him at that point. I have been there. I've had experiences where I thought I was on the right track, but found out that God was "after" me for something. I watched this movie 4 times over the weekend and am ready to see it again. I'd rather have a movie that's realistic about a preacher who's human. It's more often that preachers are seen differently. I'm interested in finding out what was in Mr. Duvall's mind when he wrote / made this.
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Summary: The story of a man who loved God and people, but who sinned
Review: Duvall has the whole life, blesses with the calling and is in tune with God......but good men sin and must redeme themselves and still have the law that they must answer to......very real and exposing.....one of my favorites. Great actoring by Duvall.. Five Stars
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Summary: Finally some truth about good, country people.
Review: Duvall's portrayal of county people, and devout holiness worshipers,long overdue,is a welcome relief from the Tinseltown 'fly-over' portraits. Maybe even better than "Tender Mercies," both films are superbly acted, written, and 'photographed.' Duvall's explanation of what he wanted to do, how he did it, and what it all meant to him in the 'Director's Commentary' track compels me to buy it, but the music is reason enough also. His film's decent honesty shows just how bad most of the other Hollywood-patronizing predecessors are.
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Summary: best film i have ever seen!
Review: Robert Duvall should win an Oscar this film was absolutly faboulus to good for words!!! i love it!!
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Summary: Robert Duvall Deserves the Oscar for this one
Review: It was refreshing to see how superb a film could be made without spending mega-millions of bucks. Just good acting, script, and realism--and no unnecessary gore or violence. Robert Duvall's acting is a revelation. He should have received the Oscar!
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Summary: Great acting, thoughtful character study.
Review: The story of a preacher-gone-bad who nevertheless makes a positive difference in his new church. The Apostle is a study in contrast: deeply committed to his religion yet willing to put it aside for sexual pleasure or to save his church. As a evangelical-turned-atheist, I think this movie helped me come to a greater understanding of the pentecostal preacher mindset. This was a man of extreme passion: the very attribute that led to his success as a preacher sometimes betrayed him and led to his downfall. If you're looking for a film to either affirm your faith or prove Christianity wrong, you won't find it here. If you're looking for a film that shows a portrait of a Christian preacher as a complex person (sometimes good, sometimes bad), this film is for you.
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Summary: Best Actor---Robert Duvall
Review: This movie was a triumph. Duvall's performance was inspiring and uplifting...He should have won the Oscar. The complexity of "Sonny's" character was entertaining all around. The story illustrates the wonderful truth that God can use us in spite of ourselves. As a Christian, I cherish this film. Thanks, Bobby!
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Summary: The Apostle : A Man Like King David
Review: Robert Duvall has succeeded in showing the world what it is like to be a pentecostal preacher in a non-Christian world. His character "Sonny" is a David-like character, who is unafraid to face the unsavoury Goliaths of this world, but who also fails in his walk with God when he loses his temper and kills the man who stole his wife and children. When he comes to himself, and repents, this committed Christian tries to remain true to his original calling , all the while knowing that there will one day be a price to pay for losing his temper that awful day on the baseball field. Robert Duvall has succeeded in portraying real "Spirit-filled Christians" because he doesn't ridicule them, or make them in any way stereotypical. Each person in the story is very much a complex individual, who is subject to the same temptations that plague the rest of the world. How Duvall's character finally deals with what he has done and gets on with his life is the real message of the movie: It is never too late to start over! In the final scenes we hear the most important message of all. "Who died to save you from your sins? -JESUS!" Thank-you, Mr. Duvall, for making me feel understood!
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