Critics and the general public are at odds over the new faith film Father Stu, which hit theaters last week.
At least 75 film critics have given the Catholic film a dismal 44% rating, according to popular rating website Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences, on the other hand, hailed the film as a resounding success, with more than 500 reviews averaging a high 95% rating.
The film takes viewers through the life of the troubled amateur boxer-turned-Catholic priest Father Stuart Long, who suffered from a rare degenerative and incurable muscle disease called inclusion body myositis. Critics were obviously not convinced of the film adaptation.
“This ill-conceived, often irritating biopic walks out of all the stale genre chestnuts while focusing on an unrelentingly unlikable main character who comes across as a stubborn, cantankerous bully,” complained Jeffrey M. Anderson of Common Sense Media.
Monti Lee Stormer of Movie Reelist scoffed, “The message seems to be, ‘In the end Stu became a priest and everyone clapped.’
“Your clumsy, sluggish storytelling seems less interested in converting infidels than in convincing us of Wahlberg’s piety,” said Washington Post critic Michael O’Sullivan.
James Verniere of the Boston Herald said the performances of actors Mark Wahlberg and Mel Gibson were “blocked” by the “mediocre script by first-time director Rosalind Ross,” who is Gibson’s girlfriend, adding that the film was “totally boring.” .
However, the general public appreciated that the film was “a pleasant change” from “all other films available” with both “superb acting” and a “profound message”.
“Great message and amazing performance by actors and actresses, it teaches us to be tolerant and persistent at the same time,” said one audience review.
“Humanized priest and faith life highly recommended!” wrote a reviewer named Alison. “Will watch again!”
“I absolutely loved this movie,” commented a user named Brian D. “Keep bringing us these types of movies that build us up and inspire us to be better souls on this earth. Thanks.”
“Truly entertaining film. Mark Wahlberg was excellent as always. The entire cast was great,” read another review. “I would recommend it to anyone who would enjoy a real life story of someone succeeding after many adversities.”
Rotten tomatoes
Despite the critics’ reaction, “Father Stu” meant a lot to Catholic actors Wahlberg and Gibson; The former privately funded the project and the film was written and directed by Gibson’s friend Rosalind Ross.
Also, the film seems to be a signal of what’s to come from Wahlberg.
“I feel like this is a new chapter for me because now it can help people do things like this — real substance —” the 50-year-old actor told Entertainment Tonight. “I definitely want to focus on making more. I wouldn’t necessarily say just faith-based content, but things that help people. Hopefully this film opens the door not only for me but also for many other people in Hollywood to make more meaningful content.”
Wahlberg added that he will be leaving Hollywood “sooner rather than later.”
Gibson told Fox News he’s long understood there was a “real thirst” for faith-based content, citing the hit hit “The Passion of the Christ,” which the actor co-wrote and directed.
“You know, I had a pretty big experience with ‘The Passion,'” he said. “It’s been an interesting journey to understand that there’s a real thirst for this type of content out there. People want it and they respond well to it. So it’s a privilege to be part of this delivery.”
“I think ‘Father Stu’ provides that,” Gibson continued. “It’s a little bit different. I wouldn’t really call it a faith-based film, but I think it hits all the cravings that the community wants. But at the same time it doesn’t preach to the choir. It has f-bombs, so you have to survive those things to get the gem.”
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