My initial reaction after screening the movie, was how powerful the movie, Father Stu is. Father Stu is a film based on a real person, that experiences redemption, self love, grit, and passion. Many thanks to Sony Pictures for providing the screener and interview opportunity with Screenwriter and Director, Rosalind Ross. Here’s my movie review for Father Stu, starring Mark Wahlberg. Head to theaters to see Father Stu, NOW.
My Thoughts
I’ll be completely honest with you, when I first saw the trailer for Father Stu, I thought I had seen the entire movie in the trailer. I was really surprised how much the trailer shared. I felt like it would be a hard film to watch and overall it did not catch my attention. Fast forward a month or so, after I saw the trailer in theaters, I sat at my desk watching an early screening in preparation for the interview with Rosalind Ross, and I was so moved by the movie.
I understand that Stu’s father actually requested Mel Gibson for his part. I think that is a pretty important think to note. His role in the film is big. I won’t say how big, because I don’t want to spoil it for you but when I say big it’s not necessarily that he’s in every scene. Academy Award Nominee, Jacki Weaver was incredible as Stu’s mother. The relationship between her and Father Stu’s father was tumultuous and she really put off a sad and battered woman feel in her character.
This is considered a faith-based film. When I think of faith-based, I think of Passion of the Christ, and other films that general crowds aren’t to inclined to view. If you watch it as a movie, you’ll be moved- if you watch it with the intent and understanding that it’s based on a real person- you’ll be moved. Stu’s life was pretty interesting, he is a boxer and then decides he wants to move to Hollywood to be an actor. He lived a bold life and that was portrayed in the movie. He does have a love interest played by Teresa Ruiz. What you think is a way to seal the deal, is where Stu’s journey of a lifetime truly begins. I really enjoyed this film overall.
What I Liked
There are films that make impressions on you and this is one of those films that will truly stay with you. The film is based on the life of Father Stuart Long. Yes, Father Stu was a real person, played by Mark Wahlberg. I can only imagine how tickled Father Stu would be if he knew Mark Wahlberg, was playing him in a film based on his life. Like any films based on actual people, stay for the credits so you can see the real Father Stuart Long.
Mark Wahlberg and Mel Gibson on the set of Columbia Pictures’ FATHER STU.
Father Stu was not a preachy film. I fully expected a film that had such a dip into the Catholic faith that it would have undertones of “returning to the church” or just overtly strict Catholic. I am a non-practicing Catholic and it really opened my heart to going back. I enjoyed the movie for what it was, a movie. Don’t let it being a faith-based film, keep you from seeing this film.
What I Didn’t Like
With any film, there’s going to be something you don’t like. In Father Stu, I feel like there were things in the film that could have been skipped. The mop commercial, while it showed some triumph to share with his mother, it didn’t really add anything to the film. While the film was only based on his life, there were some things that were included that were not a part of his actual life. I don’t want to spoil it, so I won’t go into to much detail and maybe there was too much time given to certain parts of his life as well and one of the characters.
Okay for Kids?
Yes and no. The film is Rated R due to language throughout, so you aren’t going to want to take young children. I’m including my 15 year old and I would let him see it, my 10 year old? Probably not. Stu was a real person and he was funny and a little crude, it was refreshing to see him portrayed as the real person he was. There is an implied sexual scene but you don’t see anything. I would say teenagers and up.
Stuart Long (Mark Wahlberg) in Columbia Pictures’ FATHER STU.
About The Movie
Based on a true story, Father Stu is an unflinchingly honest, funny and ultimately uplifting drama about a lost soul who finds his purpose in a most unexpected place. When an injury ends his amateur boxing career, Stuart Long (Mark Wahlberg) moves to L.A. dreaming of stardom. While scraping by as a supermarket clerk, he meets Carmen (Teresa Ruiz), a Catholic 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. But surviving a terrible motorcycle accident leaves him wondering if he can use his second chance to help others find their way, leading to the surprising realization that he is meant to be a Catholic priest. Despite a devastating health crisis and the skepticism of Church officials and his estranged parents (Mel Gibson and Jacki Weaver), Stu pursues his vocation with courage and compassion, inspiring not only those closest to him but countless others along the way.
Written for the screen and directed by Rosalind Ross, and starring Academy Award Nominee® Mark Wahlberg (Best Supporting Actor, The Departed, 2006) as Father Stu, along with Academy Award Winner® Mel Gibson (Best Director, Braveheart, 1995), Academy Award Nominee® Jacki Weaver (Best Supporting Actor, Silver Linings Playbook, 2012) and Teresa Ruiz (Narcos). The film is produced by Mark Wahlberg, Stephen Levinson and Jordon Foss and executive produced by Miky Lee, Colleen Camp, Rosalind Ross, Patrick Peach and Tony Grazia.
