Critics and the general public differ over the new religious movie “Father Stowe,” which premiered in theaters last week.
At least 75 film critics collectively rate the Catholic film with a dismal 44% rating, according to To the popular comment site Rotten Tomatoes. On the other hand, the movie was praised by the audience as a resounding success, which got more than 500 reviews with a high average rating of 95%.
The film takes viewers through the life of a troubled amateur boxer turned Catholic priest Father Stuart Long, who suffered from a rare and incurable degenerative muscle disorder called polymyositis. Clearly, critics were not convinced by the film’s adaptation.
Jeffrey M. Anderson of Common Sense Media complained, “This poorly conceived and often disturbing biopic of all sorts of pointless chestnuts while focusing on a relentlessly unwanted main character emerges as a stubborn and controversial bully.”
Monty Lee Stormer of Movie Reelist quipped, “The message seems to be ‘Finally, Stu became a priest, and everyone applauded.'”
“Her clumsy and idle fiction seems less concerned with converting unbelievers into convincing us of Wahlberg’s piety,” said Washington Post critic Michael O’Sullivan.
James Vernier of the Boston Herald said actors Mark Wahlberg and Mel Gibson had been “blocked” from their performances due to “the mediocre script for first-time director Rosalind Ross,” Gibson’s girlfriend, adding that the film was “full of boring.”
Despite this, the general public appreciated that the film was a “nice change” from “all the other films available” with “excellent acting” and a “deep message”.
One of the audience reviews said: “The wonderful message and amazing performance of the actors and actresses teach us how to be forgiving and persevering at the same time.”
“Humanistic Priest and Faith Related Life is Highly Recommended!” One reviewer named Alison wrote. “I will watch again!”
A user named Brian D commented, “Keep on bringing the kind of movies that lift us up high and inspire us to be better souls on this earth. Thank you.”
“Totally enjoyable movie. Mark Wahlberg was excellent as usual. The entire cast was fantastic,” another reviewer said. “I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys the real life story of someone who succeeds after a lot of adversity.”
rotten tomatoes
Despite critics’ backlash, “Father Stowe” meant a lot to Catholic actors, Alberg, and Gibson. The project was privately funded, and the film was written and directed by Gibson’s girlfriend, Rosalind Ross.
On top of that, the movie seems to suggest what’s to come from Wahlberg.
“I feel like this starts a new chapter for me in that doing things like this – the real essence – can help people,” this 50-year-old actor Tell Entertainment tonight. “I definitely want to focus on making more. I wouldn’t necessarily say just religion-based content, but I would say things that would help people. So, I hope this movie opens the door not just for myself but for a lot of other people in Hollywood to provide more meaningful content” .
Wahlberg added that it would be “sooner rather than later, probably” that he would be leaving Hollywood.
Gibson Tell Fox News has long recognized that there is a “real thirst” for religious content, citing the song “The Passion of the Christ” he co-wrote and directed.
“You know, I had a very big experience with The Passion,” he said. “That was an interesting journey to understand that there is a real thirst for this type of content out there. People want it, and they respond well to it. So, it is a privilege to be a part of this delivery.”
“I think ‘Father Stu’ delivers that,” Gibson continued. “It’s a little different. I wouldn’t really call it a movie based on religion, but I think it satisfies all those cravings that society wants. But at the same time, the choir does not preach. It contains F-bombs, so you have to bypass these things to reach the jewel.”
Related: Even critics really hate the ‘Cinderella’ remake: ‘Level of Evil’ is unparalleled
Related: Comments by Dave Chappelle “Rotten Tomato” Standup in. It’s exactly what you’d expect.
Related: Here’s what critics are saying about Bill Burr’s latest anti-PC comedy
The Daily Wire is one of America’s fastest growing conservative media companies for breaking news, investigative reporting, sports, podcasts, in-depth analysis, books, and entertainment for a reason: because we believe in what we do. We believe in our country, in the value of truth and the freedom to speak it, and in the right to challenge tyranny wherever we see it. Is the same true? Become a member now and join our mission.
. “Professional creator. Lifelong thinker. Reader. Beer buff. Troublemaker. Evil problem solver.”