Name: Retro Film Review: The Apostle (1997)
Item: The Apostle
Rating: 79
Author: @drax

(source:tmdb.org)

(SPECIAL NOTE: Capsule version of the review is available here.)

Current President of USA is despised in the world not that much because of his policies but because his very election shattered one of popular illusions promoted by Hollywood. Until November 2000 most non-Americans saw America through films set in big cities on West and East Coast; interior of America, its small towns, and, last but not least, social, cultural and political forces embodied in Evangelical Christianity, were all but ignored. When Evangelical Christians appeared in films, they were usually portrayed either as pathetic hypocrites or dangerous fanatics far from the American mainstream. One of the rare films to go against this trend was The Apostle, 1997 drama directed by Robert Duvall.

Protagonist of the film is Eunis "Sonny" Dewey (played by Robert Duvall), Pentecostal preacher from Texas who had complicated relationship with God from his earliest days. His temper, which serves him so well during sermons, destroys his private life – wife Jessie (played by Farrah Fawcett) not only leaves him for younger minister Horace (played by Todd Allen) but also conspires to take away his church and children. "Sonny" reacts by hitting Horace with baseball bat and, after realising what he had done, decides to flee. He stumbles in Bayou Butte, small and sleepy Louisiana town where he renames himself into "Apostle E.F." and tries to continue his life's mission. First he takes the job in the local radio station whose owner Elmo (played by Rick Dial) allows him to preach on air. After that he contacts Brother C. Charles Blackwell (played by John Beasley), retired black pastor, and starts work on repairing the derelict local church. His sermons, charity work and rising popularity finally bring attention of authorities and "Sonny" knows that he would have to answer for his crime.

Robert Duvall not only acted, wrote and directed this film, but also had to use his very own money to finish it. For him The Apostle was labour of love - he had to wait almost thirteen years before gathering enough talents and resources to finish this film. Most of the critics were enthusiastic, but in the same time also very surprised by this film. Unlike mainstream Hollywood, this one approached phenomenon of religion in modern-day America with more objectivity and more understanding. Duvall, inspired by semi- documentary hyper-realist social dramas of British left-wing film-maker Ken Loach, tried to use the same approach to portray phenomenon which is usually associated with right-wing political agenda. Film is shot on authentic-looking locations with real-life preachers and real-life parishioners serving as extras.

Robert Duvall, who plays the main role, carries The Apostle on his shoulders. He portrays very complex but also very real and very human character. From the beginning, when we see "Sonny" trying to act as spiritual counsellor to the mortally wounded victim of an automobile accident, it is quite obvious that the protagonist of The Apostle is a man who not only believes what he preaches, but also does it with passion unfathomable to ordinary men. Yet Duvall doesn't portray him as saint nor does he try to use this film for the purpose of simplistic religious propaganda. The very thing that makes "Sonny" such a formidable preacher is the very thing that can destroy lives of his loved ones. Passionate protagonist is not immune to alcohol, women or outbursts of violence. But those very flaws are the reason why the audience can accept "Sonny". His message, coming from such a real character, rings true. Even those who don't share "Sonny's" beliefs can be impressed with the sincerity in which those beliefs are expressed.

The film's main strength is arguably its main flaw. By being so concentrated on "Sonny" this film fails to paint other characters so vividly. The slow beginning makes some of the characters and their motivations slightly confusing. Otherwise remarkable actors like Miranda Richardson and Billy Bob Thornton are wasted in one-dimensional roles that don't allow full display of their abilities. At times Duvall is so enamoured in his character's preaching that the film loses its pace.

But those willing to forgive such sins of film-making are going to be awarded not only with a powerful film but with an emotional experience worthy of someone's life work.

RATING: 8/10 (+++)

(Note: The text in its original form was posted in Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.films.reviews on October 15th 2004)