Portraying religion is something Hollywood's always had a difficult time doing. While many films take a humorous slant toward depicting the subject, others often generate a ton of controversy (such as "The Last Temptation of Christ"). Additionally, when dealing with devoted preachers, and particularly the evangelists, film makers often run the fine line of mocking those they're presenting. Sometimes the movie's there just to do that -- as in "Leap of Faith" (the Steve Martin movie where he's an obvious fraud looking to make money) -- but other times the act is unintentional.
"The Apostle" is one of those films that runs right along that fine line and occasionally seems to cross back and forth over it. In hindsight, however, it ultimately proves to show religion in a positive light despite the flawed title character. And who better to play such a character than Robert Duvall? A four-time Oscar nominee (with one victory for "Tender Mercies"), Duvall has a career of sixty plus films where he's created unique, but often troubled men.
Here he brings an unbridled passion to Sonny, and he's quite believable in the role. Of course being the writer, director, and producer of the movie certainly gives him a vested interest in doing the character right, and consequently he creates one that pops off the screen and seemingly falls right into your lap. While he's certainly not an enjoyable character to spend several hours with, he's always mesmerizing to watch and might just earn Duvall another nomination.
Duvall, as a third-time director, lovingly lingers on long sequences where Sonny, or his later incarnation, E.F. goes through his prancing and dancing delivery. A little bit of this goes a long way, and unfortunately those scenes recur too often and carry on for too long once they've begun. What I couldn't figure out was whether those scenes were there to cover for the lack of a substantial plot (ie. To eat up time), or whether since Duvall was so immersed in this project (and wearing all of those different "hats"), that he couldn't see the forest for the trees. The moments where Sonny's preaching are done so well that you feel like you're sitting right there in an evangelical church, but that by itself in no ways makes for great drama. Thus, Duvall had to throw in some conflict (him attacking his wife's lover) to keep the story moving forward.
Even so, the whole plot element of Sonny going on the run doesn't quite ring true. While it works dramatically in that it allows Sonny to reinvent himself, there's no solid enough reason that would compel him to flee. At the time, the man he's struck hasn't died, and by leaving he abandons his ailing mother and leaves his two young kids with a wife who's just ripped his world apart. That does create some dramatic tension for his character, but it seems that he too easily leaves. Of course that might be intentional where Duvall has created a character who's so flawed that he'd leave everything, but in any case it seems a bit unbelievable.
The rest of the plot is rather straightforward and without surprises. There's never any doubt that Sonny's past will come back to haunt him, but with blinders on he never sees it coming (had he seemed more worried that may have given the film a bit more dramatic flair). Still, there are some decent moments, including one where Sonny must talk a redneck (Billy Bob Thorton in full southern glee) from bulldozing the church and the congregation. That and an earlier confrontation with him are clearly the stand out scenes and are quite mesmerizing.
Beyond Thorton, the supporting cast is adequate but not outstanding. Fawcett perfectly fits into her role as the somewhat flighty wife (I'm not sure if that's acting, though), and John Beasley and Todd Allen deliver decent supporting performances. Nevertheless, this film's really just a character study about Sonny/E.F., and we get huge doses of him. Duvall also does a decent job as he brings a quiet dignity to the character that contrasts with the outgoing showman persona seen "on stage."
Unfortunately, great performances alone don't, and can't, make a great movie. While Duvall's take on the troubled evangelist is quite compelling, too much time is spent focusing on him preaching when some more attention should have gone to build up the plot. At nearly two and a half hours, there's definitely room for more story, but instead we just get more charged up, but ultimately stationary sermons. While Duvall will earn many critical accolades and nominations for his role, this film certainly won't draw mainstream audiences, and for those who do see it, it's doubtful they'll want to take it in again. Instead they'll just head off to their local church to get the real thing. We give "The Apostle" a 4 out of 10.
![[Screen It]](https://www.screenit.com/images/screenit_subscriber_logo.jpg){kind=logo}
![[Around the World in 80 Days]](https://www.screenit.com/images/posters/movies/around_the_world_in_80_days_2022_small.jpg)
![[Family Camp]](https://www.screenit.com/images/posters/movies/family_camp_small.jpg)
![[Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness]](https://www.screenit.com/images/posters/movies/doctor_strange_in_the_multiverse_of_madness_small.jpg)