A Powerful Journey of Faith & Reconciliation



A boxer (Mark Wahlberg) aspires to be a priest and reconnects with his father (Mel Gibson) in Father Stu.

Sony Pictures

A washed-up boxer finds purpose through religion as his life takes a tragic turn. Father Stu is a powerful journey of faith and devotion against insurmountable odds. Mark Wahlberg shines as a man who stood tall in spirit when his body could not. Our time on Earth is fleeting. For some, it is cruel and unfair. The story of Stuart Long reminds us that the courage of conviction can illuminate the hearts of the downtrodden.

We first meet Stuart Long (Tenz McCall) as a spirited child in Helena, Montana. His father, Bill Long (Mel Gibson), drinks to dull the loss of Stuart’s brother. Decades later, Stu (Mark Wahlberg) tries to make it as a boxer. His weary mother, Kathleen (Jackie Weaver), begs him to stop fighting. Most men had long given up at Stu’s age.

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

Stu decides to try his luck as an actor in Hollywood. He packs up for Tinseltown with dreams of stardom. Bill Long had left for California years earlier after abandoning his family. Stu gets a job behind the meat counter at a supermarket. He’s entranced by the beautiful Carmen (Teresa Ruiz). She’s a strict Catholic who doesn’t take kindly to Stu’s advances. He visits her church in an awkward attempt to win her favor. Stu discovers the word of God. The experience begins a transformation of his soul. Stu’s newfound faith exhilarates. But is soon tested in unexpected ways.

An Absorbing Character Study

Father Stu is an absorbing character study. Stuart initially drips with arrogance and machismo. He’s a chiseled tough guy used to pummeling his way forward. Stu’s failed efforts to succeed as an actor gives him a modicum of humility. But his pursuit of Carmen opens a door that takes everyone around him by surprise. No one believes his religious awakening. Stu has to earn their trust by adhering to Catholic principles. His rough edges ruffle a few feathers. These scenes are quite funny.

Related: The Walking Dead Mid-Season 11 Finale Recap & Review: The Commonwealth Reigns

The film’s second act significantly amps up the drama. Stu faces a challenge that forces reconciliation with his father. Bill Long is the biggest skeptic of Stu’s Catholic conversion. He can’t fathom that Stu has found something that gives him peace. Bill’s alcoholism has served as a shield to prevent him from confronting pain. He’s unnerved by Stu’s grace and forgiveness; the true tenets of Christian teachings. Bill must become a caring father and bury his past failures. Mark Wahlberg and Mel Gibson anchor the film with this pivotal relationship. The lesson is that wounds heal. Sins can be absolved. A man’s trust in scripture liberates his father from guilt.

Catholicism Drives the Narrative

Sony Pictures

Father Stu can be defined as a faith-based film. Catholicism drives the narrative. Stu aspires to be a priest. But the film doesn’t beat you with religion like a strict nun. Bill and Stu Long are foul-mouthed drunkards who change their stripes. Director/writer Rosalind Ross, fantastic in her feature debut, preaches salvation in gospel without condemnation or judgment of nonbelievers. I can watch Father Stu as an atheist, appreciate its wholesome themes, and feel empathy for the characters.

Father Stu is a production of Columbia Pictures, Municipal Pictures, and CJ Entertainment. It will have an April 13th theatrical release from Sony Pictures.

Fantastic Beasts 3 Star Mads Mikkelsen Calls Copying Johnny Depp ‘Creatively Stupid’

Read Next

About The Author

Julian Roman
(1504 Articles Published)

Julian Roman has been with Movieweb for nearly twenty years. An avid film buff, he feels lucky to have interviewed and written extensively about Hollywood’s greatest talents. In his spare time he plays guitar, treasures good company, and always seeks new adventures.

More
From Julian Roman

You can view the original article HERE.

Think you know Yahoo’s year in search? Take our 2024 quiz to see.
Think you know Yahoo’s year in search? Take our 2024 quiz to see.
Liam Payne’s Girlfriend Debuts New Angel Wings Tattoo After His Death
Liam Payne’s Girlfriend Debuts New Angel Wings Tattoo After His Death
Grace O’Malley joins Alex Cooper’s Unwell Network. Inside the drama with Brianna ‘Chickenfry’ LaPaglia, Zach Bryan and Barstool.
Grace O’Malley joins Alex Cooper’s Unwell Network. Inside the drama with Brianna ‘Chickenfry’ LaPaglia, Zach Bryan and Barstool.
Oakland A’s Legend Rickey Henderson Dead at 65
Oakland A’s Legend Rickey Henderson Dead at 65
It’s Time to Give a FECK: Elevating Humanity through Forgiveness, Empathy, Compassion and Kindness (book by Chaz Ebert, with Foreword by Tamron Hall) | Chaz’s Journal
It’s Time to Give a FECK: Elevating Humanity through Forgiveness, Empathy, Compassion and Kindness (book by Chaz Ebert, with Foreword by Tamron Hall) | Chaz’s Journal
Why Critics and Audiences Are Divided on Jenna Ortega’s ‘Finestkind’
Why Critics and Audiences Are Divided on Jenna Ortega’s ‘Finestkind’
Ted Danson’s Best Performances, Ranked
Ted Danson’s Best Performances, Ranked
The Great Performances of 2024, Part Two | Features
The Great Performances of 2024, Part Two | Features
Spice Girls’ Emma Bunton shares enchanting new take on ‘2 Become 1’
Spice Girls’ Emma Bunton shares enchanting new take on ‘2 Become 1’
Watch Hozier perform ‘Too Sweet’ and cover The Pogues’ ‘Fairytale of New York’ on ‘SNL’
Watch Hozier perform ‘Too Sweet’ and cover The Pogues’ ‘Fairytale of New York’ on ‘SNL’
A whole new body of work
A whole new body of work
Charli XCX and Post Malone earn additional Grammy nods
Charli XCX and Post Malone earn additional Grammy nods
Analyzing the 2024 College Football Playoff Bracket: Insights and Surprises
Analyzing the 2024 College Football Playoff Bracket: Insights and Surprises
Tatum records 1st 40-plus point triple-double for Celtics since Bird
Tatum records 1st 40-plus point triple-double for Celtics since Bird
Garrett sends message to Browns: ‘I’m not trying to rebuild’
Garrett sends message to Browns: ‘I’m not trying to rebuild’
Notre Dame overpowers Indiana in CFP opener
Notre Dame overpowers Indiana in CFP opener
‘Kraven The Hunter’ Suffers Unprecedented Box Office Drop
‘Kraven The Hunter’ Suffers Unprecedented Box Office Drop
Landman Season 1 Episode 7 Review: All Roads Lead to a Hole
Landman Season 1 Episode 7 Review: All Roads Lead to a Hole
What If…? Season 3 Review
What If…? Season 3 Review
After ‘Mufasa,’ I’m Done With Disney’s Exhausting Live-Action Remakes
After ‘Mufasa,’ I’m Done With Disney’s Exhausting Live-Action Remakes
Editor’s Pick: Lucky Girl Rosé
Editor’s Pick: Lucky Girl Rosé
Gwyneth Paltrow’s Effortless Elegance, Men’s NYE Style Inspo
Gwyneth Paltrow’s Effortless Elegance, Men’s NYE Style Inspo
Calvin Klein’s NYFW Return, Tommy Hilfiger’s New Stars!
Calvin Klein’s NYFW Return, Tommy Hilfiger’s New Stars!
What’s On Fashion People’s Holiday Wish Lists This Year?
What’s On Fashion People’s Holiday Wish Lists This Year?