God in the grime of life

James Paul  |  Features  |  culture watch
Date posted:  1 Jun 2022
Share Add       
God in the grime of life

Mark Wahlberg as Father Stu | photo: imdb

Some may disagree, but I don’t believe there is, or even should be, such a thing as a Christian film, especially if by labelling a film ‘Christian’ we mean to create a sub-genre of film that contains some special spiritual or moral attribute whilst ignoring its artistic quality.

But I do believe that there are films that tell stories which flow out of the gospel narrative of creation-fall-redemption. And in that respect, I commend to you Rosalind Ross’s directorial debut, Father Stu, as an absorbing and emotionally engaging film which centres around a the very human experiences of disappointment, fatherlessness, suffering, forgiveness and faith. It also includes one of the best cameos by a Jesus-like character that I have seen in a long while.

Mark Wahlberg stars in the title role of this ‘based on a true story’ biopic of Stuart Long, a foul-mouthed, washed-up amateur boxer and bit-part actor who falls for Carmen (Teresa Ruiz), a beautiful Hispanic woman he meets while serving at the meat-counter in a Los Angeles supermarket.

Share
< Previous article| Features| Next article >
Read more articles on:   culture
Read more articles by James Paul >>
Features
Minutely-controlled world

Minutely-controlled world

It might seem strange that after watching over two and a half hours of Cate Blanchett’s riveting performance as fictional …

Features
A Christ-like Pinocchio?

A Christ-like Pinocchio?

‘What does it mean to be human?’ and ‘What makes a good life?’ are two key questions which all cultures, …

Need to advertise?

We can help you reach Christians across the country.

Find out more

Subscribe

Enjoy our monthly paper and full online access

Find out more