The Apostle

Writer/director/star Duvall makes this a one-man show. It's a good show, though

Could have just been me but the foreboding sense of doom (intensified by the intense sudden violence) & waiting for a transformation in character makes this pretty interesting. Then again there's tons of preaching & conversions which go on & on, & what's the point? Fortunately we aren't told.

well made drama.

The film is, down and out, an amazing acting showcase for Robert Duvall. Maybe the best performance of his career, or at least since Apocalypse Now. It is an interesting character study with very raw, authentic direction, at points. However, the script could have used quite a bit more conflict at times. I really wanted the darker, more hypocritical side of Duvall's character to come out more in the second half of the film for those scenes in the first act were, by far, the film's most powerful.

This is what happens when the same guy writes, directs,and stars: there's nobody to tell him his pacing is too slow and the story needs to be punched up. It's 20 minutes of material stretched out over 2.5 hours. Having heard Duvall interviewed, I'm not convinced this film's acting was that good either; he wasn't acting very much since he believes a certain % of what Sonny does. That aside, let's ask what message this movie is trying to convey. Religious men are not always good? That's cliché.

Duvall's galvanising performance is the centrepiece of unusual drama, which effectively portrays an evangelical preacher seeking redemption. After many film encounters with stereotypically mad or sanctimonious preachers, it is refreshing to see one presented in a mostly positive and affirmative light, even if the extended congregation scenes were a bit much at times for this non-believer. Stellar support work by Richardson and fine work by the remaining cast, negates occasional pacing problems.

The highlight is undoubtedly Duvall's performance, the kind of commanding presence that makes you want to watch from the get go, no matter how you feel about his character. Right from the first scene he shows both the positive and negative sides of his character, setting up the journey he'll take us on seeing him balance devotion and self absorption. It's a very engaging and well paced film, and the only scenes I felt dragged a bit were near the end when I had bought in so it wasn't an issue.

It's always a treat to watch Duvall carry a film in a character study, but he would've been well-served to have someone beside himslef direct him...

Somewhat interesting, but that's about it.

Good film.

The fervor and passion that Duvall puts into 'Sonny' almost makes the viewer tired. Impressive, to say the least. While the film itself lacks any real ebb and flow, the pleasure is mostly from his energy.

Duvall turns in one of the best performances ever, by anyone. It isn't insulting to religion, but it certainly explores the edges of sincerity and hypocrisy.

For much of this I was convinced that this would end just being kind of a flat film, but Duvall's performance especially during his last sermon makes it better than that. Still, I felt the film could have been better than it was, but it is worth watching at least once for Duvall's performance.

zzZZZZzzz