Unfortunately, I will have to agree with xina4581. This is a surprisingly awful movie.
I reserved it at the library, didn't know anything about the film, but knew a little about McPherson, and thought the film might be interesting because of the subject. I was both surprised and disappointed. I learned a little more about it here, and by following links from IMDB.
I am a film buff, but not a very serious or knowledgeable one. I live in Seattle in an area of the city that has many local independent (most now formerly locally owned) screens, and some years I catch a few movies at the Seattle International Film Festival. Recently I've watched many DVDs from the Seattle Public Library, which is building an extensive collection. Never been to film school.
Regarding the awful camera work mentioned by xina4581, all the shooting was obviously done with a handheld camera and a very unsteady hand. Most of the film is shot with bizarre closeup face shots, the view wanders constantly, and the camera work is very unsteady. Oh, did I say "film"? There are no technical specs listed here at IMDB, but the entire movie was obviously shot using a handheld home video camera. (Later I've read something from Rossi indicating the entire movie was shot with two handheld cameras purchased for under $300). Note that Rossi cites Ed Wood as a major influence. He also compares himself the Bergman and Fellini!
There are a few preaching scenes with riveting oratory, but these apparently use original recordings of Aimee Semple McPherson, with the actress lip syncing the words.
The movie seems to go light on the subject's obvious fraud in which she faked her own death, but after watching the whole two hours I learned that Rossi is a fundamentalist preacher, and was once a minister at a Foursquare church, which was founded by Aimee Semple McPherson.
Rossi inserted himself into the movie, so it is obvious who did the worst camera work, because these are all scenes he is not in. I guess shooting parts of actor's faces has some budget advantages, because you don't have to build any expensive sets, or go on location. Allegedly the film won an award for being a best film shot for under $75,000, and another from the "International Guerrilla Film Association" as the #1 of 100 Best Guerilla Films of all time. Only they don't seem to exist, either the list, or the organization:
http://thebusmansholiday.blogspot.com/2008_05_01_archive.html
The blogger is a professional journalist in Pittsburgh, where the director once lived. Be sure to click on ALL the links. I just
This movie uses some real actors. It was fun to see Carl Ballantine, now in his late 80s, who played the memorable character Gruber on the 1960's sit-com, McHale's Navy. He has a brief part early in the film. Ballantine has been a magician all his life, and apparently Rossi met him at The Magic Castle in Los Angeles.
Also, Rance Howard (father of director Ron) has a big part early in the movie. He is now in his sixth decade in film, and has appeared in hundreds of movies and television dramas. He has a fine performance in this movie, apparently made with mostly amateur actors.
I've gotta get off the computer now, and there is a lot more I would like to say, but no time. Do some googling, and check out the other comments in this forum, and note all the postings by shills. Try to guess which ones are actually Rossi himself, but are attributed to someone else.
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