Based on the true story of Father Stuart Long, this film should have been inspiring, but somehow, for me, it fell flat. Stuart (portrayed by Mark Wahlberg) is stubborn and single-minded. When injuries end his boxing career, he decides to go to L.A., determined to become an actor. There he meets a devout Roman Catholic girl, who rejects his advances because he is not a baptized believer. Resolved to win her love, he attends catechism classes and is baptized into the church. Following a serious motorcycle accident and a near-death spiritual experience, he feels called to the priesthood. His girlfriend and parents are dumbfounded and unsupportive. He is admitted to the seminary only to discover that he has a rare degenerative disease that will cause him a host of physical problems and shorten his life. In spite of this, he becomes a priest and is able to minister to others, even when confined to an assisted living facility. His story is almost unbelievable!
However, very little time is spent on Stuart's beliefs, spiritual development, or ministry. Most of the movie covered the life he led before his conversion. There were many unanswered questions -- for example, how did he make it through the academic requirements of seminary? (I later found out the real Stuart had attended college -- this wasn't part of the movie and it led me to wonder what other things were omitted or inaccurate). His desire to be a priest seemed to be just one more example of his dogged persistence in pursuing a personal goal once he had set his mind upon it.
I'm pretty sure the real Stuart Long was an inspirational figure. He overcame many obstacles in order to serve God in a difficult calling. Unfortunately, the film spent too much time focusing on external events, instead of spiritual growth. None of the characters were well-developed. Possibly there was simply too much ground to cover in two hours.
VERDICT: 2 STARS. Disappointing.
For more film reviews see:
Billy Graham–Film Review
The Black Church–This is Our Story This is Our Song–Film Review
Film Review — The Case for Faith by Lee Strobel
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