‘Thy Grace Into Our Hearts’: ‘Father Stu’ and the Path of Conversion MOVIE REVIEW: The film’s serious tone toward matters of faith and theology adds to the true story of finding one’s purpose. Mark Wahlberg plays Stuart Long in Columbia Pictures' 'Father Stu' currently in theaters nationwide. (Photo: Karen Ballard) James Day MoviesApril 13, 2022 “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). This line from St. Paul is reflected in the remarkable true story of the late Father Stuart Long, brought to life on screen in the new biopic Father Stu. While immersed in the religious milieu that ultimately defines Stuart Long’s life, Father Stu does not content itself with simply following a sappy formula that constitutes so much “faith-based” fare; the film is not interested in imparting a message, instead offering a high-quality cinematic experience about complex, all-too-human characters who have to dig deep within themselves to finally ask the question: “What does God want from me?” Continued at link… https://www.ncregister.com/features...rts-father-stu-and-the-path-of-conversion?amp
Here's short video of Fr. Mike interview with Mark Wahlberg. I just saw the movie this evening. It's a good one to see. I agreed with Fr. Mike...this movie is rated R and has foul language ...it's not for children to see this and it's not for the faint of heart people either. However, the actors, Mark W. and Mel G. did good acting, it's raw, emotional, healing of brokenness in people's lives...but God's graces surely comes through in this true story of Fr. Stu's life.
I've heard about the terrible language, so I've been on the fence about going to see this film. I suppose the language is an honest reflection of Fr. Stu's life experiences, but I still wish the film did not have the R rating. I am praying on it.
It is good that they are still trying to make good Catholic films. I wish they would make more. I would love to watch a film on Medugorje. I don't think they have made one yet, which is astonishing.
I do want to see this !! There is quite the outrage by some traditional groups saying going to see this is a mortal sin because the Lords name is taken in vain. I have even seen a video of a well known excorsist stating that it is a mortal sin if you go to a movie that uses Gods name in vain and you know it before hand, but at this moment cant remember his name. I get them confused. But i had rebutted stating that the movie the exorcist also contained many curse words but the outcome was good. But either way i dont live in a bubble. The world is a harsh place and i think God would understand. Glad to hear the positive critique on it!! Its on my list.
I watch a lot of older movies and for a time people would say "Judas Priest" which is also considered a swear but of course, the Lord's name is not taken in vain. Nowadays, I am often shocked at the casualness that various movies express to taking the Lord's name in vain. It is another sad commentary on where we are in society imho. I haven't seen this movie yet, Father Stu, but I wonder if they show the conversion that this priest went thru and maybe that is why it is done. I am certain that it will still make be feel uncomfortable though. I don't go out to the movies much at all but about a month or so ago we (my husband, my son who is 24 and I) went to see the movie Uncharted with Mark Wahlberg and I was pleased with this movie. There was no foul language or anything that made me feel uncomfortable at all.
Agree Today I was in the nail salon. They always have a movie on the tv on the wall and I was stuck and couldn’t escape the Lord’s name in vain a couple of times. I was praying silently. But I don’t as a rule go to the movies. So we can’t escape it completely. But I wouldn’t choose to see a movie with profanity. Our Lady of La Salette warned that the crops would rot if people didn’t stop using profanity. hmmm
I can't bring myself to watch Father Stu because of the taking of Our Lord's name in vain. It took me and my husband years to weed out and let go of everything that has such things in it (I always said a little prayer of reparation each time, but I know now that I shouldn't have been watching those things at all). Personally, I think they could have shown his character without using God's name in vain. To offend Our Lord because it's important artistically for a film is not worth it. The tiniest offense of God wouldn't justify saving all the souls in the world.
I am reminded of Fatima and this was 1917! “Do not offend the Lord our God anymore, because He is already so much offended.”-
I have come to this realization myself. I have stopped with movies an TV for the most part. Like Carol I watch old films for the most part. Why did it take me so long to realize this? I think the world seeps into us so deeply we just don't think about it until that moment of grace. Its a shame the makers of Fr Stu felt they needed the" grittiness" of his past. I guess I will give the film a pass.
I haven't seen it yet. The movie should have been "family friendly" in the first place! The use of GD and JC in culture is so pervasive, I find it reprehensibly disgusting. TV, movies, video games, advertising, news articles, etc.... I tried to watch the last Batman movie and couldn't finish it because of these issues.
I watch old movies often and there was a time when they would say Judas Priest. Recently, I got angry at myself for not questioning a young female healthcare worker as to why she felt so comfortable saying JC. She did it once but I wish that I had very politely said something. I’m very glad to hear that the foul language was removed from this film.
I saw the movie when it came out. The language was definitely cringe worthy.....but for me, it was all about how the people around him, that helped him to convert, handled his behaviour. Watching and learning about his younger days, as he struggled to change the habits from his childhood, and the way he was supported by the people of the parish (his new family, so to speak), was just amazing......And as he changed and then struggled with his illness, his own family slowly changed as well...There was much to learn from this, at least for me anyway.
Same for me. I loved it. I don't understand this term judas priest. It's actually a band I liked in the 80s
I used to have students who would do that and I would politely say "Are you praying? " or "how nice of you to send up a prayer." They gave me funny looks but it stopped.
