Father Stu

For decades, Hollywood has been obsessed with biopics, so much so, that it seemed that the biz knew no other type of films than of biopics. Don't get me wrong, films based on true stories can make a powerful statement, but once in a while fiction can be just as necessary. "Father Stu" is a very personal film of Mark Wahlberg that took him approximately seven years to get on the screen, and the outcome is an emotional, exceptional film.

This film based on a true story follows the life of Father Stuart Long (Mark Wahlberg). When an injury ends his amateur boxing career, Stuart Long moves to Los Angeles to find money and fame as an actor. While scraping by as a supermarket clerk, he meets Carmen (Teresa Cruz), a Sunday school teacher who seems immune to his bad-boy charm. Determined to win her over, the longtime agnostic starts going to church to impress her. However, a motorcycle accident leaves him wondering if he can use his second chance to help others. Leading to the surprising realization that he's meant to be a Catholic, much to the chagrin of his parents, his dad Bill (Mel Gibson) and mom Kathleen (Jacki Weaver), he subsequently inspires countless people during his journey from self-destruction to redemption. 

Others to round out the cast are Malcolm McDowell as Monsignor Kelly, Cody Fern as Jacob, a priest, Ned Bellamy as Dr. Novack, Annie Lee as Dr. Wan, Aaron Moten as Ham, Carlos Leal as Father Garcia, Alain Uy as Tim and Ronnie Gene Blevins as bartender.

This was delineated well by first time director Rosalind Ross. When I realized that she had never directed a feature film--not even any TV, shorts or videos, I went to see this film with a certain amount of trepidation. However, after viewing it, I walked out of the theater assessing that this filmmaker was a natural behind the camera. This being her first film, I can't wait to see what she helms next--and there will be a next time. Even though Wahlberg is a fine actor, it still takes talented directing to be able to transition this actor from a younger, healthy, well built agnostic to a more moral, God fearing, kind of frumpy priest and make it effortless. It was also written by Ross (TV, short), who is a virtual newcomer to the writing field. She has only one TV series and a short to her credit, and she was able to pen a script that a seasoned writer would be envious of. It was well paced and staged and each scene was delineated with careful precision. Other than a couple of places of continuity issues and a small place of some confusion, this screenplay simply rocked. Again, with her being a newbie in the writing realm, I'm curious to see what she writes next. Considering that Wahlberg actually put on the extra weight in which to pull off Long's stature as a portly priest was amazing, but this is the method actor that he is. 

Certainly if one is Catholic or simply a Christian, this will please and give them something to gnaw on, but even if they're non-Christian or agnostic, people are seeking out God all the time and will find this interesting. This is one man's path toward faith from Agnosticism, to hard knocks, to love and God, to forgiving those he needed to confront, to his ultimate redemption. I can see why this was such a personal film for Wahlberg. The nice touch at the end of the credits was where the film was done in loving memory of Alma Wahlberg, Mark's mother. 

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                                         Rated: R                                                124mins.