Movie Review: Father Stu

 

Michael's Movie Grade: B

An engaging faith-based film.

Two types of stories that will always have a strong appeal are the underdog story and the redemption story and this movie shows just why these stories will always be appealing. As this film starts out, our main character (Mark Wahlberg) is anything but the type of character we would look up to or feel inspired by. Yet being a Christian movie (albeit fouler mouthed than your average Christian film), this is a story of redemption and what God can do with those you least except. He is utterly transformed throughout the course of the movie and by the end of the picture, you can't help but be inspired by the man God has helped change him into. This transformation is done in the most natural and believable way possible, and you can see him change little by little over the course of the film, rather than just immediately becoming a different personal. This gradual change makes it so that we never feel we are looking at two different characters but instead always the same person. While it may seem strange to praise a movie based on a true story for feeling believable, the truth is there are many such films that don't feel believable at all. This is especially impressive when you consider that this is the first feature film for director/writer Rosalind Ross. When he finds his calling nearly everybody else (including those closest to him), don't believe he is cut out for it. This brings us to the underdog part of the story. Though this in some ways feels more conventional than the redemption part of the story, the film makes it so that we are always rooting for him and wanting to see him defy the odds. The movie also benefits from a really good sense of humor. I found myself laughing out loud quite a few times over the course of the movie. The film also knows how to use humor to balance out the moments where the story seems the bleakest. Also helping is an excellent cast. Mark Wahlberg is fantastic here and makes many scenes seem as if we are watching real life instead of a movie. Mel Gibson and Jacki Weaver are at the top of their games here and really get their time to shine. Teresa Ruiz as our main character's girlfriend is also excellent. 

Being a country music fan, I loved this movie's soundtrack. Of course anytime I can hear Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Lorretta Lynn and Glen Campbell, all in the same movie, I am sold. Through in an Elvis gospel song and there is no way I can refuse.

On the downside the main character's relationships with his girlfriend and father can feel a bit rushed, as if some transitional moments in their relationships were skipped over. There is also a bit of forced and unnatural dialogue as well as scenes that feel too reminiscent of scenes from similar movies. 

Despite the film's faults, this is a surprisingly moving and inspiring movie.