MovieChat Forums > The Apostle (1998) Discussion > Not religious myself but I loved this fi...

Not religious myself but I loved this film


I am in no way religious, I think believing in a God is just as ridiculous as believing in the Easter Bunny or Tooth Fairy. But this is hands down one of the best character studies ever to grace the silver screen. How Duvall missed out on the Oscar for this is amazing. He should've been nominated for screenplay and directing as well.



Desperanto spoken here...

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I feel the same way. Even though I'm not at all religious, I appreciate any film that can portray a person with a worldview completely different from mine (and from most of the audience) as something other than a two dimensional caricature. Duvall certainly accomplished this with Sonny - he's a character that we can identify with and at times admire, in spite of his flaws.

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Not a churchgoer myself, but I'd go to the church in this movie.

Duvall was amazing in the film and deserved the Oscar, which went to Jack Nicholson.

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Just so you know there are several churches like this in real life. Its stereotypical to say this, but Black churches tend to be much more energetic and excited like portrayed here. Any Pentecostal church is going to be close to this. Assembly of God churches too.

Like instrumental music?
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Count me in. I'm a non-believer, but I find films about religious people very interesting.

Robert Duvall should absolutely have been the Oscar choice. What a deep character he portrayed! The intensity, sincerity, and foibles of that life were like a biography -- yet it was invented by Robert Duvall.

At some points he nearly wore me out. And at others, I wished that I could find something in my life that I'd be so committed to. Excellent story from start to finish.

I also liked the DVD extra, where Duvall points out that several of the actors weren't actors at all, such as the radio DJ. Good job by the non-actors! Also, good performances by Farrah Fawcett and June Carter Cash.

I'd watch this again and maybe 3 times.

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several of the actors weren't actors at all, such as the radio DJ


Rick Dial (a furniture store owner in real-life) appeared in another excellent, religious themed movie with Robert Duvall (in a cameo) and Billy Bob Thornton - Sling Blade.

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I believe Dial and the guy who played Sammy (who was also on the TV program "The Shield") were both in House of 1,000 Corpses. Quite a divergence from this film, I know.

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I am another who doesn't subscribe to organized religion but do have spiritual beliefs, as, I suspect do most of you. I found myself drawn to this truly outstanding film and owned it first on VHS and now on DVD. I have watched it countless times and never seem to tire of it.
It works in so many ways it's difficult to know where to begin in describing how it works so well. Of course there is Duvall's bravura performance, though he inhabits the Reverend E.F.'s character so thoroughly it's more like he's channeling a pentecostal preacher. At times I find myself thinking, "....and this is the same guy who was Lt. Kilgore???".
And then there is the truly inspired casting of pro and non-pro actors, with nary a single false note.
The most fascinating and exciting thing of all to me about The Apostle is E.F.'s preaching, a style I first became truly acquainted with on a road trip through the Deep South back in 1977. Every second radio station carried one of these fire-and-brimstone breathers, we were immediately pulled in as we drove through the night. I found it impossible not to notice the obvious connection between Southern preachers and blues and rock musicians.
After all, the South is the birthplace of the blues, rock and country. Elvis always acknowledged fully his deep gospel roots. Like E.F., he was exposed to the source from when he was a small babe.
Like most great art, this film never received it's due in its time, but like all the classics it will endure long after it's hallowed contemporaries are but forgotten.
And a person doesn't have to subscribe to any faith to get The Apostle's message.

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I go further as a flat out atheist - this is a tremendous film. I don't prescribe insanity or any such mental illness to Duvall's character; just a passionate believer living a life he "knows" to be true.
I've watched it several times, and each time I appreciate more and more the quality of acting. If you notice in the credits, many of Duvall's fellow church members influenced the movie (hence his ability to so accurately display the part of the "praise-be-to-jesus-and-let-everyone-hear-me" fire and brimstone southern preacher.)
Glad I watched it; glad to see so many others enjoyed it too.

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I used to go to church. don't anymore. but that's why this movie interested me & I liked it. I was going regularly when I did. been a while, about time I saw it again.

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run,run,run. fast as u can. u can't catch me I'm the ginger bread man.

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[deleted]

Agreed - religion is ridiculous but this film is fab.

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I agree it's very good with a true sense of authenticity and complex characterization (Duvall's a real powerhouse, of course), but the church madness scenes shoulda been cut way shorter - that was some really goddamn creepy & terrifying stuff going on there, people losing any semblence of reason entirely.



"facts are stupid things" Ronald Reagan

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believing in God doesn't make somebody 'religious'.

I believe in God, however i don't follow or agree with any particular denomination, hence i'm not religious.

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