- Actors: Robert Duvall, Farrah Fawcett, Billy Bob Thornton, June Carter Cash, Miranda Richardson
- Directors: Robert Duvall
- Writers: Robert Duvall
- Format: PAL
- Language English
- Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Number of discs: 1
- Classification: 12
- Studio: Universal Studios
- DVD Release Date: 2 Jan 2006
- Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B000BRPX36
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 40,370 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Written, directed and acted by Bob Duval this is a labour of love. Sonny is a preacher on a mission from God. He is also a drunk, womaniser and inclined to fight his way out of a corner. If you think that people who have a fundamentalist faith who might behave in such a way are hypocrites then this film will wind you up. If you perceive faith to be a mystery and that anyone who tries live according to their beliefs gets shown up for the contradictions in their lives then you will love this film. Probably my favourite religious film because its the deepest. I would even put it ahead of lives of Christ type movies. This is special. Its also difficult to get hold of so if you find one on Amazon snap it up!
6 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
As fine an acting performance as you will see anywhere.
Despite many rewrites, they did not get the screenplay quite right, as there is no subplot and an inadequate backstory. But what remains is a thoroughly compelling portrayal of a morally ambiguous character, a fundamentalist preacher of extreme views and actions.
Watching the film, you tend to think, OK, I get the point about the preaching, I see how charismatic he is, now let's move on. Instead, there is more preaching. Duvall seems so wrapped up in the performance that he is reluctant to let any plot developments interrupt the flow. This makes it less of a film than it could have been but, I say again, the performance is monumental and has to be seen.
Despite many rewrites, they did not get the screenplay quite right, as there is no subplot and an inadequate backstory. But what remains is a thoroughly compelling portrayal of a morally ambiguous character, a fundamentalist preacher of extreme views and actions.
Watching the film, you tend to think, OK, I get the point about the preaching, I see how charismatic he is, now let's move on. Instead, there is more preaching. Duvall seems so wrapped up in the performance that he is reluctant to let any plot developments interrupt the flow. This makes it less of a film than it could have been but, I say again, the performance is monumental and has to be seen.
Format:DVD
Sonny Dewey (Robert Duvall) is the charismatic preacher of a fundamentalist Texas church, until his short temper gets him in serious trouble. He runs off to Louisiana, becomes part of a small community, and starts a new church where he brings hope and salvation to his loyal followers.
Robert Duvall is a powerhouse; he wrote, directed, produced, and starred in this movie - and it's wonderful. He is so convincing as the southern evangelist that it really surprised me to hear him speak in his normal voice in the Extras. Sonny is completely devoted to saving people and spreading the Word, but we suspect he may have a violent and unsavory past, and that dichotomy keeps our eyes glued to Duvall at all times. As Sonny, he's driven, tireless, and simply inspired.
While Duvall gets excellent performances out of many local, non-actors in small parts, there were several casting choices that didn't seem right to me: Farrah Fawcett plays Sonny's wife and she's so recognizable as a former "Angel" and glamour girl that it was hard to buy her as a quiet, plain-Jane. June Carter Cash plays Sonny's mother although she is only two years older than Duvall - and looks it and that was distracting. And Billy Bob Thornton has a very small role as a troublemaker that was never developed; I kept expecting him to show up again and do something important and worthy of his stature.
The term "tour de force" can certainly be applied to Duvall's performance; he is riveting, charismatic, and utterly believable. Interestingly, the story makes him neither a hero nor a villain; it is left up to the viewer to decide who exactly "the Apostle" is. Highly recommended.
Robert Duvall is a powerhouse; he wrote, directed, produced, and starred in this movie - and it's wonderful. He is so convincing as the southern evangelist that it really surprised me to hear him speak in his normal voice in the Extras. Sonny is completely devoted to saving people and spreading the Word, but we suspect he may have a violent and unsavory past, and that dichotomy keeps our eyes glued to Duvall at all times. As Sonny, he's driven, tireless, and simply inspired.
While Duvall gets excellent performances out of many local, non-actors in small parts, there were several casting choices that didn't seem right to me: Farrah Fawcett plays Sonny's wife and she's so recognizable as a former "Angel" and glamour girl that it was hard to buy her as a quiet, plain-Jane. June Carter Cash plays Sonny's mother although she is only two years older than Duvall - and looks it and that was distracting. And Billy Bob Thornton has a very small role as a troublemaker that was never developed; I kept expecting him to show up again and do something important and worthy of his stature.
The term "tour de force" can certainly be applied to Duvall's performance; he is riveting, charismatic, and utterly believable. Interestingly, the story makes him neither a hero nor a villain; it is left up to the viewer to decide who exactly "the Apostle" is. Highly recommended.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Had to return
What the heck, I had to return to the sender because it wouldn't play on either my dvd or my computer!!! Read more
Published 18 months ago by delia
A great depiction of Southerners
There are so few films about the American South that don't parody the South. It seems to be very difficult to make a film that doesn't exaggerate Southern mannerisms. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Patti Whaley
Robert Duvall's shining hour
A wonderful, uplifting performance by Robert Duvall in a film that he also produced and directed.
One does not need to be a Bible-thumping christian to feel the sheer... Read more
One does not need to be a Bible-thumping christian to feel the sheer... Read more
Published on 26 Oct 2008 by Oscar Del Santo
one the most amazing performances ever
This film quite simple took my breath away, Robert Duvall proves yet again why he is one of the greatest actors of any generation. Read more
Published on 27 Feb 2008 by Shaun Dimery
Glory !, glory !, glory !
Particularly uplifting if you're in any way bent towards the Divine. Otherwise, just enjoy charismatic Robert Duvall.
Published on 24 Sep 2007 by Humphrey Wear
Complete and utter Tosh
Right down there with the worst of worst. Slow, I mean real southern slow. Long, long preaching tedium. It never gets started, Zero plot. Read more
Published on 6 Jun 2007 by pantisocrates
Excellent
Duvall had the idea for this movie for quite some time, but could not get funding for it. Eventually he decided to fund the project himself. Read more
Published on 12 Feb 2007 by D. Mcclean
The real thing
This is a true to life depiction of a genuine American archetype, a fusion of Wesleyan revivalism and African American pentecostal Christianity. You don't like that? Too bad. Read more
Published on 18 Jan 2005 by Eric Alan Holt
A beautiful human story
Christians will be able to identify with this man's struggle between the faith that saved him and his old nature. Read more
Published on 26 Jun 2003 by R. C HODGES
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