The Apostle (1997)

Director:

Robert Duvall

Writer (WGA):

Robert Duvall (written by)

Release Date:

30 January 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Lust, Obsession, Revenge... Redemption

Plot:

After his happy life spins out of control, a preacher from Texas changes his name, goes to Louisiana and starts preaching on the radio.

Plot Keywords:

Louisiana | Preacher | Texas | Church | Minister

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 11 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Robert Duvall	...	Euliss 'Sonny' Dewey - The Apostle E.F.
Farrah Fawcett	...	Jessie Dewey
Billy Bob Thornton	...	Troublemaker
June Carter Cash	...	Mrs. 'Momma' Dewey Sr.
Miranda Richardson	...	Toosie
Todd Allen	...	Horace
Brother Paul Bagget	...	Tag Team Preacher #3
Lenore Banks	...	Female Sonny Supporter
John Beasley	...	Brother C. Charles Blackwell
Mary Lynette Braxton	...	Mother Blackwell
Brett Brock	...	Helper
Christopher Canady	...	Sister Johnson's Twin
Christian Canady	...	Sister Johnson's Twin
Elizabeth Chisolm	...	Singer
Brother William Atlas Cole	...	Bayou Man

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements and a related scene of violence.

Runtime:

134 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

UK:12 | Australia:PG | South Korea:12 | Philippines:PG-13 | Argentina:13 | Chile:14 | Finland:K-12 | France:U | Iceland:L | Peru:14 | Singapore:PG | Spain:13 | Sweden:11 | USA:PG-13 (certificate #35500)

Filming Locations:

Collin County, Texas, USA

Company:

Butcher's Run Films

Trivia:

Robert Duvall had to use $4 million of his own money to complete the film. When the movie did well at the box office the distributors reimbursed him.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the bulldozer scene (Chapter 30), Troublemaker has stood up after praying. People are scattered around him. The shot changes immediately to where these same people are standing in a defined circle holding hands singing around him for a few seconds, then it reverts back to the first shot where the people are scattered around him. (1:47:02 through 1:47:16).

Quotes:

Momma: Don't you let her have them kids now. Fight for those children, son, you hear me?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Bad Santa: Not Your Typical Christmas Movie (2004) (V)

Soundtrack:

You Didn't Have to Say It, Out Loud

Amen!

The Apostle is a gripping film on a most unpromising subject matter. The film has none of the obvious flash of movies such as Elmer Gantry and The Rainmaker which covered some of the same territory. The Apostle is based on straightforward storytelling, great character development and nice, gentle pacing - but with a strong kick.

Robert Duvall, one of the best actors of the last thirty years, gives a powerful performance as the preacher driven by his inner demons - and gods. Over the years, we've seen preachers played by actors ranging from Burt Lancaster to Steve Martin but Robert Duvall comes up with a truly individual and original interpretation. What makes the character Sonny stand out is that he is so real! Ranging from his most charismatic (doing a Joe Dolan impersonation?) to his most personal, one feels that Sonny (the apostle EF) is real, believes what he is doing is real and is confident in his destiny - no matter how odd or quirky he appears at times.

The film is character driven with a good sprinkling of incidents throughout. Story points introduced early on and developed before half way give the film a strong feel of The Fugitive, the TV series - laid back, story based but with the undercurrent of "a ticking bomb under the table" (Alfred Hitchcock).

Minor quibbles: Miranda Richardson's character is a little too young for Robert Duvall's. June Carter Cash, both the actress and the character, seem under utilised. And at times it is possible to see the joins. The version I saw on video appears to be shorter than that shown originally in the US cinema. This pruning may account for some of these minor points.

Overall, The Apostle is highly recommended. Filmgoers without a strong interest in religious matters should find the characters, their treatment and the landscape in which they operate fascinating. Most people of a religious disposition should have little difficulty with the film as a film though they may not always like what they see from a religious viewpoint. 8.75.

Amen!