The Apostle
Lust, Obsession, Revenge...Redemption.
He was touched by the power and filled with the spirit. A man of faith. A man of the flesh. A man plagued by th edarker side of human desire and rage.
In his Academy Award-nominated performance, Robert Duvall is Sonny, a gifted Southern preacher loved by his comminity. When Sonny loses control and commits a crime fo passion, he is forced to run from the law. Hiding out in the small town of Bayou Boutte, Sonny adopts a new identity and sets out on a new mission- to find th eroad to redemption.
Member Reviews
Duvall's Very Personal Project - Gregg
Obviously this was a very personal project of Robert Duvall who wrote directed and produced the film while also playing the title role, not surprisingly Duvall is very good and intense as the flawed but well intentioned evangelical preacher who renames himself the Apostle EF after having fled into rural Louisiana to escape an assault charge.
As a director Duvall crafts a very detailed and realistic is somewhat slow moving picture about the southern evangelical movement. While the picture is more than compelling enough both the pace and the subject matter will likely keep many away, but for those looking for an introspective character study about redemption this will be a rewarding experience.
The cast also includes June Carter Cash, Farrah Fawcett, Miranda Richardson and Billy Bob Thorton.
The script was written by Duvall in the 1980’s but he was unable to find a studio willing to make the film, thus he eventually undertook the project himself. Robert Duvall had to use $4 million of his own money to complete the film which he later recovered due to the success of the film
The film would garner one Oscar nomination for Duvall’s performances as a Lead Actor.I didn't get converted. - cathyottawa
Sorry.
This follows the story of a preacher who bashes a guy with a baseball bat, and then runs from the law in the guise of a spiritual journey. He may be a true believer, but he's running from the law, no question.
I was given no reason to root for "the apostle". I was given no real reason to like him. I didn't care if he ever got back with his wife, Farrah Fawcett, and I didn't care if he ever saw his kids again. I wasn't invested in his journey at all.
This film thinks it's enough to have this character spout "praise Jesus" and "can I get an Amen!" every two minutes or so, and that will make him likable. It didn't.
If I were the mother or sister of the guy he bashed with a bat, I know I wouldn't give a crap that he had painted an old church, and started preaching. Also, this is supposed to be about what a phenomenal preacher this guy is, but there was nothing inspiring about his sermons. I was left unmoved.
Billy Bob Thorton has a 5 minute role that's meant to tug at the heartstrings. It was just dumb. Farrah herself is only on screen a short time. This is all about Duvall, and he just doesn't have the charm to pull it off.
He's also too old for the part (he wrote this in the 80s, but couldn't get it made). We're supposed to believe he and Farrah have young kids. Riiiggghhhttt. And June Carter Cash playing his mother? She was only two years older than him in real life, and it shows. They look more like husband and wife than mother and son.
I'm truly baffled by the Oscar nomination for best actor. Duvall must have a lot of friends in the Academy.Great! - W---
There's a reason Robert Duvall got an Academy Award nomination for this movie - and that's the reason you should watch it. Spellbinding performance by Duvall - this alone is worth your time, but the story is also excellent, a tight storyline and truly brought to life by Duvall.
Member Reviews
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Duvall's Very Personal Project - Gregg
Obviously this was a very personal project of Robert Duvall who wrote directed and produced the film while also playing the title role, not surprisingly Duvall is very good and intense as the flawed but well intentioned evangelical preacher who renames himself ...I didn't get converted. - cathyottawa
Sorry.
This follows the story of a preacher who bashes a guy with a baseball bat, and then runs from the law in the guise of a spiritual journey. He may be a true believer, but he's running from the law, no question.
I was given no reason to ...Great! - W---
There's a reason Robert Duvall got an Academy Award nomination for this movie - and that's the reason you should watch it. Spellbinding performance by Duvall - this alone is worth your time, but the story is also excellent, a tight storyline and truly brought ...