Robert Duvall did an excellent job bringing this film to life. The other 'actors' in the film also contribute to give "The Apostle" a realistic warmth rarely achieved in mainstream films. I refer to the cast as 'actors' because aside from numerous character actors, Duvall being one of the greatest, the film is inhabited by non-actors. In other words, the people in church, from the Holiness preachers to the warm small-town folk, are real people, not trained in acting. Duvall's story is engaging and beautiful in the way it shows the flaws amid great talent in a man who chooses for himself the calling of Apostle. I love this film, the accurate portrayal of some aspects of southern U.S. life and culture, and especially Duvall's performance.
Add a Review
-
haruuj16 August 2004
-
SnoopyStyle2 July 2017Sonny Dewey (Robert Duvall) is a preacher in Texas. His wife Jessie leaves him for a younger minister. She takes their children and gets his church after a vote. Desperate to see his kids, Sonny beats up Jessie's man with a baseball bat. He goes on the run and ends up in rural Louisiana. He befriends Brother Blackwell and starts dating receptionist Toosie. He starts a new church with new identity Apostle E.F. He preaches on the radio. His mixed congregation enrages a racist (Billy Bob Thornton).
Robert Duvall is a master. His character is complex. He is awe inspiring. His journey does meander at times but it is always fascinating. Despite the long running time, it doesn't lag. I love his preaching. The montage of preaching is wonderful. This is a character study of the highest order. -
jmfaucette20 March 2006The Apostle is a wonderfully constructed work that deals with a few intense issues including faith and the Christian's relationship with God. The director uses small scenes and sequences to illustrate how Sonny lives out his faith and to help the viewer experience Sonny's life more fully. For instance, on his way to Louisiana Sonny walks past a bar to catch a bus. Without hesitation he enters the bar and emerges moments later with a slightly inebriated man, telling him that he does not have to go in there anymore. When on his journey, Sonny relies so completely on faith that he actually stops in the middle of a crossroads and kneels to pray, asking God to direct him. God does not disappoint. Though The Apostle is a work of fiction, it does a great job of presenting faith that is shunned by the world and continuously proved by God. When Sonny stops to pray at a car-crash, it appears that the wife is probably dead and the husband is in fairly critical condition. Sonny prays with them despite an officer's orders and drives away. As Sonny is leaving, the viewer sees the wife's hand grip her husbands, presumably showing God's work in the situation; Sonny's reply: "Momma, we made news in heaven today." Duvall's film also deals greatly with the humanity of Christians. Though Sonny is a murderer and a womanizer, God still chooses to use him. One cannot help but to think of Abraham being called and leaving his idols behind. Some say that art imitates life, while others argue that life imitates art. Whichever is true in the end, the Apostle paints a picture of beautifully honest and flawed faith; a picture that everyone can learn from, no matter where they walk.
-
lwkloth27 December 2001In order to fully appreciate "The Apostle" it might help to have some experience with southern Pentecostal culture. I do, and was completely taken in by the film. My wife, on the other hand, doesn't have that experience and understands neither the film nor my fondness for it. But I think that, if one is not distracted or confused or simply put off by the loud, emotional, sometimes corny religiosity portrayed here, one can see a strong, compelling story of a seriously, ultimately fatally flawed man whose faith in God and in God's mission for him reaches to his very core.
On the surface, one can view Sonny Dewey as just another example of a certain type of religious fraud: the backslapping, perpetually-grinning, wisecracking good old boy who uses religion and exploits his flock for his own selfish ends. He looks like someone who doesn't practice what he preaches. He womanizes, he's not above taking a snort from this pocket flask, he has a troubled marriage and we get the hint that he is the source of more than his share of the trouble, even to the extent of driving his wife into the arms of another man. He seems to be just another Elmer Gantry or, to pick from the real world, he's just like one of the fallen televangelists of recent years. But just when you're comfortable with that judgment of him, Sonny proves you wrong. He admits to his faults, some more freely than others. But he makes no excuses for them and, in the end, he knows that he is going to pay for them.
What really draws me into the film, and what really makes Sonny interesting for me, is the way Duvall has made him such a complex character. He's a bad guy and a good guy. He is darkness and he is light. He is sometimes endearing and other times someone you really don't feel comfortable trusting. But by creating this ambiguity, Duvall does a service not only to the way religious leaders are characterized in film, he also pays homage to core religious issues. By diving into the murky waters of Sonny's soul, Duvall goes into territory known to any seriously religious person. As much as you might want things to be black and white, a good portion of the time you're being pulled back into the shadows: there are good intentions and evil deeds; there are selfless aspirations and appetites to be fed. Sometimes you swing wildly from one side to the other. Sometimes you are on an even keel. Sometimes you're not sure.
Faith and work determine how such a struggle will turn out. Sonny is energized by both. He believes in what he is doing. He believes that God has given him a mission and he is determined to accomplish it, even in spite of himself. While it might be tempting to make a stark contrast between the message Sonny preaches and the actions he has done that are contrary to it, one must always remember that a good preacher always preaches to himself as well as his congregation. But some of the more revealing moments of the film are not when Sonny is in front of a congregation, or even with other people generally, but when he is alone with God: ranting at God in anger; dedicating himself to God in the moment that he becomes the Apostle; the soul-searching moments when he forgives his wife and resigns himself to his fate.
The no-punches-pulled realness of Sonny's struggle is a refreshing departure from the usual film portrayals of religious figures: plaster saint, con-man, one-dimensional milquetoast. But it also brings to the forefront the question of whether Sonny, or any of us, can be used for divine purpose.
"The Apostle" is beautifully filmed and captures well a portion of the rural South: you can almost feel the humidity and smell the swampwater. And while the well-known actors in the film (Farrah Fawcett, Billy Bob Thornton, Miranda Richardson) all turn in fine performances, it is the unknowns --the church members and townfolk -- that really give the film an added authenticity. -
ilovedolby28 May 2003Robert Duvall (`Gods And Generals') has long been known as one of America's finest actors. His ability to portray characters with his dynamic voice and strong appearance allows his performances to transcend the films that he acts in. In his most ambitious project, `The Apostle,' in which he directs, is a screenwriter, acts and is an executive producer, Duvall finds himself in uncharted movie territory as a preacher whose unhealthy obsession with God and his church leads to his own downfall. Although the film incorporates superb performances and great direction, it does suffer from being too lengthy and drawn out. `The Apostle' is the story of Eulis `Sonny' Dewey (Duvall) who parish is taken away from him when his adulteress wife Jessie (Farrah Fawcett) decides to leave him and take their children away for a younger preacher in the same parish. As such, Eulis, under the influence of alcohol and his own convictions attacks Jessie's beau, putting him in a coma that eventually leads to his own death. Eulis leaves town and decides to start his life anew. Finding a small village with a broken down church, he sets up a new congregation and develops followers who listen to his radio program as he appears as the Apostle E.F. The one problem with `The Apostle' is the lengthy church scenes. It seems as if Duvall just goes around and around again with the same things to say over and over. Although this could work in reality if preaching to different congregations, to a movie audience, it's not necessary to continuously drag them through the same scenes, in a different church. After all, there are only so many times in a two-hour film that we can bare to hear praise Jesus.' However, it does show the zealous nature of the character of Eulis and his deep affinity to the church. The performances in `The Apostle' were outstanding. Duvall comes off as both enlightening through his sermons and utterly terrifying through his anger towards his wife, her boyfriend, and to an unruly member of society (Billy Bob Thornton) who doesn't want the Apostle E.F.'s church around. Fawcett's character as Jessie, Eulis's much younger wife, is well portrayed, however, it's arguable that she is underused in the film. The performances of Miranda Richardson (`The Hours'), John Beasley (`The Sum of All Fears') and Billy Bob Thornton (`Bandits') were excellent, as well.
Duvall's direction of the film was wonderful. It's easy to grasp that `The Apostle' was his personal masterpiece that he'd been trying to craft for several years. One element of avoiding conventional cinematography was used that added an artistic sense to the feature in which Eulis baptizes himself to absolve himself of his sins. The camera was used in slow motion at the end of the scene with the morning sun light behind Duvall as he wades in a river, giving him a mysterious appearance. In the end, the film does work and is highly recommendable, regardless of its prolonged ceremonial scenes that just seem to make the film drag, rather than flow. *** -
isleofdawn30 July 2004You can't help but being mesmerized by Robert Duvall in the title role. He must of seen a lot of southern preachers as he grew up, because he wrote this as well and the role suited him to a tee.
The supporting cast is fine, with Rick Dial and John Beasley getting kudos for their work, but the movie is first and foremost about The Apostle. If you like Robert Duvall as an actor, you will like this movie. His attention to detail in his roles is well known. He brings quirks and nuances to help flesh out his characters, and this role is no different.
The Apostle is a flawed man who can lift others up, but has trouble lifting himself up. And that contradiction is what gives this movie its flavor. All-in-all, a fine movie. -
RBonander12 April 2005This movie would otherwise be fabulous if it weren't for long -- and I mean looooooong -- stretches of pointlessness, where the action, the drama, comes to a halt. One gets the impression that Duvall either didn't make enough edits, or those working with him were too afraid to make the proper edits during scenes that appear utterly self-indulgent. The best example is at the very worst time: the last scene, in which E.F. is arrested. We get it already: E.F. is quite a preacher. The scene should have ended, truly, at least ten minutes sooner than it did. All the drama associated with the end of E.F's preacher days is zapped by a long, tedious, ultimately pointless scene about him doing his preacher-thing to the congregation while the police officer waits at the back. I challenge anyone to find a meaning in that scene, or in others like it. At over two hours, this film could have benefited from a superior editing job. Instead, Duvall does to the film's drama what E.F. does to his wife's lover: He smacks it into a coma, then kills it. A real shame.
-
icelandreliant12 October 2004I will always admire Robert Duvall for all the personal effort he put into making this film. As a church worker who is a moderate/liberal Christian, there are few other movies like it out there. It presents a pastor who is clearly flawed and sinful, as all of us are. However, it also presents someone who simply wants to serve the Lord and help people, whether they are poor, black or prisoners. The filming locations and use of real pastors give the movie an extremely authentic feel. Great music as well! Highly recommended movie with great acting, a story that makes you think and a balanced portrayal of evangelical Christianity.
-
lllinggg9 July 2003Created by Robert Duvall as a fiction film, but worth taking in as a documentary, 'The Apostle' is a striking commentary on contemporary Christian Americana. Duvall is Texas preacher Eulis 'Sonny' Dewey, whose irreverent lifestyle leads him away from his family, to a journey of self-discovery in the bayou lands of southern Louisiana.
It is difficult to resist the film's realistic portrayal of Pentecostal Christianity, which appeals on both religious and secular levels. The convincing performances by Duvall, Farrah Fawcett (as Dewey's wife) and Billy Bob Thornton constitute the rigid base on which everything else stands. Furthermore, the daring integration of actors and non-actors in a plethora of sequences throughout the film is so successful that it is virtually impossible to discern the directorial seams that hold this polished film together.
Direction, though, is far from flawless, and one gets the impression that more rigid editing could have added firmness on a somewhat stretched script. But the overall impact of these shortcomings on the film is limited, thanks mainly to the creative passion that visibly permeates the production of this fine effort. Worth watching, six stars out of ten. -
Glaschu9 September 1999This film kept me thinking for days afterwards. A highly emotionally charged film, The Apostle is essentially a one-man tour de force for Duvall with an ensemble supporting cast. Duvall's performance was so convincing that had he performed this role live I'm sure he would have moved the whole audience to tears.
I resisted seeing this film at first expecting that it would be the usual tired, antireligious stereotype that late twentieth century script writers revel in. But The Apostle does not blindly follow any stereotypes. The premise is plausible and the realistic character portrayals give the viewer the feeling that they are right there in the story. This is a riveting tragic tale of a very flawed man who has the gift of inspiring others to better and greater things. Had Shakespeare been around today, he would have borrowed this storyline, but I doubt he could have done a better job.
It is a cautionary tale for anyone in a position of leadership. Somehow, despite the tragedy framing this story, I found it very uplifting. If you like a film with a message that prompts you to think, then see this movie. -
valadas14 February 2001This is a very hard movie for an agnostic to comment. However although it is not a masterpiece nor does it use any special effects, it is really a powerful movie who tells us a very simple story of a man who not only strongly believes in what he preaches but also has the power to convince other people by his words. By his words but not by his deeds since he has his troubles and weaknesses as a human being and like any other ordinary human being he reacts to them using violence. He is also capable of loving a woman like any man would though he tries to do it in a restrained way. The narrating style is naturalistic, almost documentary.
-
Lechuguilla26 May 2007This is a film with genuine heart and soul. It's got depth of characterization seldom found in Hollywood films. Robert Duvall gives a great performance as the sincere but flawed Pentecostal preacher, Sonny Dewey. After his marriage turns sour, followed by a spontaneous act of violence with a baseball bat, Sonny flees his home in Texas and ends up in the South Louisiana bayou country. Here, he changes his name to "The Apostle E.F." With the help of a local Black preacher, The Apostle starts a new church, called the "One Way Road To Heaven" Temple, a tiny wooden building out in the middle of nowhere.
As good as Duvall is in his performance, reinforced by a brilliant performance from Miranda Richardson in a support role, the film's non-actors, local people brought in to add authenticity to the setting, are even more convincing. No Central Casting actors could ever give the depth of characterization that these local people bring to the story. Sister Johnson, in her pink Sunday-go-to-meetin' outfit, and Sister Delilah are just terrific, as is Rick Dial, as Elmo, the local radio station host who gives The Apostle a chance to evangelize.
And whether he's preaching on radio or directly to a church congregation, The Apostle, with deep emotional conviction, shouts out his pronouncements using literal verbal imagery consistent with a literal interpretation of the Bible: "holy ghost preaching machine"; "a holy ghost explosion"; "we're going to short circuit the devil". The congregation sequences are largely improvisational, built on real emotion and feeling from real people; nothing canned here; remarkably genuine.
The film's weakness is the contrived plot that revolves around Sonny's marriage. His wife is played by Farrah Fawcett, a usually fine actress, who seems miscast here. In addition, some of the scenes, especially in the first half, could have been edited out.
You can't have a film about Pentecostal preaching without gospel music. And in "The Apostle", the hymns are old, traditional Bible-belt favorites: "I Love To Tell The Story", "Softly And Tenderly", and "I'll Fly Away". The film's subject matter, largely implied about death, the heartfelt hymns, and the film's lighting combine to render a general tone of sadness and depression, although laughter and joy find their ways into the story, as well.
Despite a hokey, contrived plot, "The Apostle" is mesmerizing in its authenticity of those in the American South who abide by the Pentecostal faith. Some viewers may find all the shouting and foot stomping off-putting. But it is genuine. In addition to being entertaining for the most part, the film will be a real eye opener for some viewers. -
An engaging story driven by a very powerful performance from Robert Duvall.
The story of a minister in a evangelical Christian church who starts a new life after committing a crime. Interesting and engaging story as we see the man's life destroyed and then see him rebuild it, and see the effect he has on others.
Superb performance by Robert Duvall in the lead role (though we have come to expect that from him). Very believable as the preacher, with mannerisms, doctrine etc very well researched.
While having an interesting plot (written by Duvall) and also being well-directed (by Duvall), the movie isn't too profound, which is disappointing. I was waiting for that moment of clarity, but it never came.
It is all about the journey, not the destination, in this case. -
visceralgirl-229 June 2007Just because the main character is oh so COMPLEX does not mean the movie is going to be interesting. And just because Robert Duvall is one of the greatest actors in the world does not mean he is also going to be a great director and screenplay writer. "The Apostle" certainly supports the idea that great actors make lousy directors.
Obviously I am of the minority opinion. Much like a charismatic preacher with a gullible flock, this movie seems to have bamboozled a large number of respectable critics and laypeople, including my brother whom I love and who insisted I watch this movie. Whether I will be able to forgive him remains to be seen.
Like many actor-directed projects, this one creaks under the weight of its creator's humongous ego. As somebody else here rightfully pointed out, Duvall is way too old to play a guy who was a toddler in 1939, whose mother looks like his wife, is married to Farrah Fawcett and who would slobber over Miranda Richardson without her laughing at him as a dirty old man. Apparently Duvall did not want to let a younger actor play Sonny because he could not resist the chance to preach.
And does he ever preach. All the time. At least 80% of the scenes consist of him preaching. (SPOILER COMING) Even when he is about to be arrested for the murder of his wife's lover, we still have to put up with 20 minutes of preaching and singing and shouting and praising the Lord before the police can finally lead him away. An actual sermon would not go on as long as this movie does at two hours and 14 minutes. "The Apostle" is a sermon punctuated by the occasional plot point.
And unless Sonny was going to get some sorely needed humility quickly I did not care what became of him. He is a despicable character but not very interesting in his odium because as we hear over and over ad nauseum he Loves the Lord and therefore is not a villain. He is Complex. He has Weaknesses. Apparently he cheated on his wife because they talk about it. Why they couldn't have substituted one womanizing scene for one of the many preaching scenes is unknown. What makes the movie so boring is that this supposedly complex character does not develop. He does not change. He does not undergo any spiritual experiences himself despite the fact that he is a murderous drunk. The phrase "Physician, heal thyself" comes to mind. One could say here "Preacher, save thyself."
Why so many people are singing this movies praises is odd though not entirely a mystery. A brilliant actor directed it. It is about Serious Matters and it attempts to do something Different. Its settings are rural which seems to charm a lot of people. And it certainly seems to go out of its way to avoid being confused with entertainment. No, it aspires to be High Art. Just because it has aspirations does not mean it succeeds in those aspirations. It is a prolonged, self-congratulatory, one-note, boring, plot less abomination. -
oyason16 July 2004I didn't grow up down South, or even in the midwest, but I do know a little bit about the Pentacostal Church and Christian fundamentalism. Robert Duvall is an ambitious actor and film maker, and The Apostle hits home with its perceptive and loving portrayal of country people in the United States. It is refreshing to see that culture portrayed as something other than gaggles of yahoos. The Apostle focuses on the community spirit of the church, and thereby shatters some of the mystery of its appeal in a culture as self-centered as our own. There are no saints in this story, just a protagonist and his supporters trying to make sense of a country in which there is little love and way too much usury. The film is harsh on a number of levels, very no-nonsense though drawn out at various moments. But it's real, and that's more than can be said for ninety per cent of what passes for films about U.S. culture these days. It's said by some folks that Robert Duvall has been trying to make this film for a lot of years, and there are parts of The Apostle that contain faint echoes of his 1983 project Tender Mercies. It hardly matters, since both are interesting films for different reasons. Some day we'll see Robert Duvall as the vast repository of Americana he really is, until then, The Apostle is one of the best testimonies to his strengths that I know of. Can I get a witness?
-
gpeevers21 March 2019Obviously a personal project for Robert Duvall and he is very good and very intense as the flawed but well intentioned evangelical preacher who renames himself the Apostle EF after he has fled to rural Louisiana.
As a director Duvall crafts a very detailed and realistic (if a little slow moving) picture of the southern evangelical movement. -
The Apostle is a gripping film on a most unpromising subject matter. The film has none of the obvious flash of movies such as Elmer Gantry and The Rainmaker which covered some of the same territory. The Apostle is based on straightforward storytelling, great character development and nice, gentle pacing - but with a strong kick.
Robert Duvall, one of the best actors of the last thirty years, gives a powerful performance as the preacher driven by his inner demons - and gods. Over the years, we've seen preachers played by actors ranging from Burt Lancaster to Steve Martin but Robert Duvall comes up with a truly individual and original interpretation. What makes the character Sonny stand out is that he is so real! Ranging from his most charismatic (doing a Joe Dolan impersonation?) to his most personal, one feels that Sonny (the apostle EF) is real, believes what he is doing is real and is confident in his destiny - no matter how odd or quirky he appears at times.
The film is character driven with a good sprinkling of incidents throughout. Story points introduced early on and developed before half way give the film a strong feel of The Fugitive, the TV series - laid back, story based but with the undercurrent of "a ticking bomb under the table" (Alfred Hitchcock).
Minor quibbles: Miranda Richardson's character is a little too young for Robert Duvall's. June Carter Cash, both the actress and the character, seem under utilised. And at times it is possible to see the joins. The version I saw on video appears to be shorter than that shown originally in the US cinema. This pruning may account for some of these minor points.
Overall, The Apostle is highly recommended. Filmgoers without a strong interest in religious matters should find the characters, their treatment and the landscape in which they operate fascinating. Most people of a religious disposition should have little difficulty with the film as a film though they may not always like what they see from a religious viewpoint. 8.75.
Amen! -
Filmnerd19844 February 2008Robert Duvall gives an extraordinary performance in an otherwise OK film. He plays a preacher who loses everything he holds dear and is forced to leave town and start over after putting his wife's lover in a coma. his journey really starts when he arrives in a small town and starts renovating an old church. time goes by and his congregation grows bigger while people's love for him grow stronger. but what can you do about the past catching up to you, no matter how god is on your side. the film is simplistic in it's storytelling but effective non the less. Duvall also shows he is a capable writer/director and proves he is more than "just" an actor. you can clearly see he's got his whole heart invested in this project. personally the preaching scenes got a little to much and my head hurt from all the "hallelujahs" and "praise the lord" lines being shouted every 5 seconds. granted i am an atheist. but i still found this film enjoyable despite it's shortcomings.
-
buzznzipp19957 February 2007Written and directed by Roberty Duvall, I saw on entertainment T.V. in an interview that Robert even put millions of his own dollars into the 'making' of this. Propelling, is just the intro to this superbly crafted, story of doing the 'Gospel' your way. This shows me, many with good intentions can go almost terminally wrong.
I was sitting watching this on cable at the hotel, when my wife at that time, would not let me go out with her that morning on her route in Sierra Vista. It wasn't that I would get in the way of her talking to the doctors on her pharmaceutical rounds, due to the fact that she had already ask me to go with her a couple times before and I knew how things shake out with it, it was that she was having an affair with a co-worker and needed to give him a private long distance call, from a pay phone. At any rate, this was probably one of the most upending and unsettling and touching films I had seen in years. It was good that I stayed and watch Duvall's story of betrayal and violence. I came to a better grip with the circumstances that I was in, believe it or not. When he becomes E.F. the Apostle, you can see he seems starting to come apart, just before it happens. There is a much mis-gilded thought life that he has when he boldly steps up and decides that it's better to blame God than to 'take responsibility' for his very own misconduct and rage trouble. Farrah Fawcett provides an aging but provocative ex-wife that can't take the 'jambing' effect that Sonny seems to boldly posses. I.e. the baseball field assault on his ex's new man. It seems that at the end of the assault he just disconnected and said "let's go home now." As if whatever he does, even when totally wrong, he can justify to himself despite the damaged inflicted on anything, or anyone else that is around him then.
Then there is the scene at the church with Billy bob's character and they quickly end up in a brawl on the side of the church, while the deacons look on. But that was, what that character of Billy-Bob's needed to respect a man of God. A strong man. A wimp couldn't have probably reached him in the condition he was in right there.
I have a lot of respect for Robert Duvall for taking and making something that wouldn't get muddled by Hollywood and it's sense of God. It was different. I got quite a large helping of calm and understanding after my wife had departed our life together. I think I learned even more about human nature and intentions, motives etc. It shows that even when people mess it up, there is always something on a sub-textual level, it's not always just 'Face value'. I am not a Billy Bob fan by the way, but even his character, that came to destroy Sonny's church, and ended up changing his own life in that process. Remember as well, even if he can 'justify' his own bad behavior, God did not let him go on and on, he had to be brought to 'Justice' himself. You can mock God but only for a little while. This film, definitely touched me and caused me to think deeper.
Thanks, IMDb.com....
I recommend this to those with discernment about life and people and especially the Bible. (*****) -
After assaulting his wife's lover in a fit of rage, an evangelical preacher flees his state, changes his name and starts a new church in this drama written by, directed by and starring Robert Duvall. There is something appealing in the way he manages to start life anew with a new chance to make a difference and Duvall saddles himself with a complex character who knows that running away is not right and yet who cannot help but preserve his own freedom. Duvall also does well making his rants and raves feel like they come from the heart, including scenes with his hands in the air, passionately asking Jesus for guidance. Duvall is not, however, very convincing as a man in hiding. The film might have benefited from some scenes with him paranoid and nervous, but what really feels odd is his choice to become a radio preacher in his new state, allowing his distinctive voice on the airwaves to be heard by anyone wanting to find him. The film also runs a little long with far too many subplots (e.g. Billy Bob Thornton and his bulldozer) for its own good. Duvall is divine in the lead role though and as writer-director, he does a magnificent job drumming up sympathy for his deeply flawed but well-meaning character.
-
HAL9000-422 August 1998Writer, director, actor: Duvall proves he has it all and with remarkable poise. Preacher "E.F." may appear to be over-the-top but he's the most human portrayal I've seen in many years. With this film, Duvall sets himself head and shoulders above the other actors of his generation.
-
Rumples9 February 1999I had heard many good things about this film, not the least of which was Robert Duvall's performance. While Mr Duvall is a very skilled performer, and I don't think I've ever seen a part he didn't do brilliantly, this attempt at filling the entire credits with his name (not to mention monopolising the screen) fell just a bit short of brilliance. It is a fascinating tale, beautifully filmed and cleverly portrayed, but it doesn't quite make the leap to classic. The portrayal of a flawed man is good, but the portrayal of the saintly man seems lacking. The supporting cast is good, but often seemed unnecessary to the story as the central character hordes all the meaningful action. Even the promising ex-wife character doesn't get the exposure she needed. I watched the entire movie and was impressed by it all, but I walked away uneffected. Worth a watch but wait for video. My vote 7/10 (It would have been a 7.5 if possible).
-
StanKnows23 April 2011First: DuVall's performance and that of the other actors in this film were 100% on point. Hollywood's portrayal of Christianity is always done in a way that makes anyone who calls themselves a Christian look like dumb and/or wacko, the style of Christianity shown in this film would have been such a large target of this lopsided Hollywood viewpoint. BUT instead DuVall took great pains to portray these in a most realistic way. Without making fun or a mockery of this worship style.
Second: The message in this story is that Christians are not perfect but forgiven. Some of you may not understand that, given the candy coated image of what a Christian is. We all hate to show our weakness and Christians have it even harder when they try to pretend that they have no faults. The truth is we all fail in our attempt to be what God ask of us. But the true Christian seeks to do God's will and to follow his teachings. When we fail we are sorrowful and ask for help and forgiveness.
"Sonny" mirrors the biblical "King David". David was a "man after God's own heart", however David was far from perfect. He committed Adultery and killed the woman's husband to cover it up. He did many things that were not right but yet his heart was always to follow God.
There are many people who try to follow God but are discouraged buy failure and unfortunately in many cases get no support from the church in helping them back on the right track. These people turn there backs on God and the church, most never to return.
This is a good movie for Christians who are sometimes way to full of themselves to see what they have become. I know many "Christians" who have a hart for the appearance of Christian perfection but have no heart for doing what God ask of them. I can only pray that they see the difference before it is to late.
For those of you who may not call yourselves Christian, Try to understand the heart of "Sonny". Despite some of his actions "Sonny" has a heart for God. Also understand that true Christianity is a relationship with God and not just a bunch of rules. When you truly love someone you want to do what pleases them. You may not always succeed but it is your number one desire. And this is what this movie is about. -
I watched the Apostle two nights ago, and I rented it partially out of guilt. I saw a film called "The Ice Harvest" that made me realize I wanted something a bit more inspiring, more wholesome, more spiritually focused in film. The Ice Harvest strangely enough also has Billy Bob Thornton along with John Cusack as some of the most profane and greedy but not nearly the most messed up characters in a rural Kansas town. Sex, violence, the whole mix, and what's worse, a sloppy ending. So, I rented this because I wanted to be uplifted.
The Apostle often delivers a brand of Southern comfort, simplicity and humanity that's quite refreshing without being naive: I thought it was an important and sobering note that the old man who gives Duvall a tent also sleeps with his rifle on his chest watching him. That combination is very human and very American: we live at once in love and fear of each other very often.
Another wonderful thing about this film is it is race-conscious but very much about integration, all God's children like Duvall says. I love the moment when Blackwell tells Duvall how black he sounds on the radio for a white man.
As for being inspired spiritually, I almost cried when Duvall prayed over Billy Bob, "Troublemaker." As a matter of fact, I think that moment is the spiritual high point of the film, the sinner converting another sinner and saving a church. If we had immediately seen the police coming for Duvall after that, it would have served as a great coda to reminds us that within sinners like Billy, there are saints/good men, and within "apostles" like Duvall, there are sinners.
None of us are as pure as the driven snow, but none of our souls are so black that they can't be redeemed. That's one of the great things about CRASH: that is a film that shows both corruption of the decent and the unexpected decency lying within the corrupt.
The main problem with Apostle, like Ice Harvest oddly enough, comes down to a sloppy ending. (SPOILER) Duvall draws it out for far too long with the sermon: once the police have arrived, it needs to come to a close. Would an officer wait that long to arrest a man for first degree murder? Duvall's rally cry of "Get Behind Me Satan" is quite effective, but it drags on for ten minutes. Finally, Sammy's acceptance of Jesus, given what has already happened to Billy Bob, lacks the punch it should have.
It brings me back to an eerie feeling that I got throughout the movie: this particular branch of Christianity that the Apostle is representing seems to shout a whole lot what really shouldn't need that kind of volume. I was taught a year or so ago the phrase "Preach the gospel at all times: when necessary, use words." It means that it's in our actions that we show our love not just in our words, and it's not just love for other Christians, but for non-Christians as well. And we don't just gather together and praise God so that we may be saved, but we continually strive to be closer to God and bring others closer to God and further from the devil and to CREATING RECONCILIATION AND JUSTICE in the world, working alongside the "devilish" as well as the saintly.
Remember that scene where Duvall drags the guy out of the bar? It reminds me that there are those who say there's the world of the devil, and the world of God and we should steer clear of the former. However, I think it's a world we need to engage and learn about: we need to be in those bars, not just dragging men out, but learning why they're in. We need to figure out about why men really go to strip clubs, why women work there, WHY women abort their children, WHY teens have premarital sex, WHY divorce occurs, and not just dismiss them as things of Satan to be steered clear of. Good fences do not make good Christians.
Now if the worlds of "The Apostle" and "The Ice Harvest" could be combined, that would be a very powerful movie about Jesus in the real world.
I will say though that the last bit of the Apostle (SPOILER) is a great reminder of Duvall's power: he continues to preach even as a prisoner on a chain gang. Now THAT is Holy Ghost Power. Amen. Continue to seek Him, praise Him, serve Him, and love Him! -
Beautifully acted by Duvall and select others, but also a morally repugnant, self-indulgent, and unironic take on the dangerous magnetism of violent charisma in organized religion, The Apostle is bloated and overrated. By a mile. This story of a violent, enraged preacher who searches for and finds redemption through very loud prayer and a Protestant work ethic is shot well, but shockingly skin deep.
Like in Duvall's main character, violence and religion are inextricably intertwined; and it's not that the movie doesn't explore the tension - it doesn't even acknowledge it. The preacher commits a crime, flees, and though this is apparently a redemption story, and the hero does indeed preach to a new community, there's no sign that he actually ever experiences any feelings of remorse or guilt for his crime. He simply moves on and does what he does best - move the flock with his singsong church performances. It's almost as if the movie assumes that if you preach, well, then you can get away with it - which would be a striking insight, if the movie had a trace of irony in it, but it's ultimately so terribly serious.
The movie's treatment of religion is also hollow - there's no effort here to mine the spiritual pull of the kind of churchgoing activities depicted here, no characters for the audience to hang on to whose lives are somehow filled by the spectacle of dance, song, and prayer. There are many people in church, but we don't really know any of them, or why they're there or what they get out of it. In the end, the movie requires us to be on its side for it to work - for us to believe that shouting in calibrated singsong rhythm is enough to wash away our mistakes, even if there's nothing behind the words.