About the film (courtesy of Sony Pictures Entertainment):
When an injury ends his amateur boxing career, Stuart Long (Mark Wahlberg) moves to L.A. dreaming of stardom. While scraping by as a supermarket clerk, he meets Carmen (Teresa Ruiz), a Catholic Sunday school teacher who seems immune to his bad-boy charm. Determined to win her over, the longtime agnostic starts going to church to impress her. But surviving a terrible motorcycle accident leaves him wondering if he can use his second chance to help others find their way, leading to the surprising realization that he is meant to be a Catholic priest. Despite a devastating health crisis and the skepticism of Church officials and his estranged parents (Mel Gibson and Jacki Weaver), Stu pursues his vocation with courage and compassion, inspiring not only those closest to him but countless others along the way.
With Easter Sunday being right around the corner, this is an ideal time to release a movie that grounded in faith and has a message to deliver. Father Stu releasing in the middle of Holy Week is no coincidence in hopes of positively impacting people…along with business side of things. Sony Pictures Entertainment, Mark Wahlberg and everyone else involved in this inspirational true story, has to be thrilled to be able to spread the word to as many willing eyes, ears and hearts as possible.
The Perfect Storm (2000), Invincible (2006), The Fighter (2010), Pain & Gain (2013), Lone Survivor (2013), Deepwater Horizon (2016), Instant Family (2018) and Joe Bell (2020) are all biopics starring Mark Wahlberg that have done considerably well in the eyes of fans and critics alike. He has shown over and over a propensity to successfully embody the personas of those he’s targeted to portray. Father Stu should be yet another nice addition to his his growing list of credits in this tough genre.
In the director’s chair is Rosalind Ross, making her feature-film directorial debut. Making things slightly easier for her is the fact that she is working an actor that appears to be easy in taking direction. It also doesn’t hurt that Ross is joined by partner in life, Mel Gibson, who also has an impactful part to play in Father Stu. Gibson leans into his role and is pretty difficult to like in some of the earlier scenes. This only magnifies his skillset as he slowly wins audiences over as things play out. Jacki Weaver brings an emotional awareness to her scenes as well.
There’s no doubt though that everything goes through Wahlberg. Father Stu is what it is due the strength of conviction and professionalism that is displayed in front of the camera as well as behind the camera with his dedication to giving audiences a true look into who and what it meant to be to walk a mile in Stuart Long’s shoes. Audiences will soon learn that the walk is anything but easy.
Even though Father Stu is rooted in a story of faith, I would say to do your research before blindly making this a family affair. Firstly, this one is rated R for strong language throughout. In addition, some of the subject matter leans towards the more mature side and may create some uncomfortable moments for parents of younger ones. But regardless of this, the message that is told far outweighs any questionable content.
Not knowing anything about the story of Stuart Long prior to watching this biopic only added to the theatrical value that I received as I reconciled with my emotions as things played. This may not be the Easter movie you had in mind, but it is one that you will be most likely pleased that you took a couple of hours out of your busy day to see. Father Stu is in theaters now.
