The Apostle

Reviewed by Denny Lin (4/2/98)

It is rare to find a movie that explores the intimate relationship between man and God. These movies must be just downright hard to make; I mean, how do you set up a shot between a supreme being and a human? Whose conception of the supreme being to use, so as not to alienate the market made up of those who don't share similar religious values?

Robert Duvall's movie about Euliss "Sonny" Dewey, managed to portray a preacher whose relationship with God transcends even his moral frailties. Sonny's quick temper, obnoxious, and womanizing tendencies were his undoing, but he was a man after God's heart, warts and all. Imperfect, complex, getting angry at God, and trusting that God is listening:

"I don't know who's foolin' with me, you or the devil. I love you Lord, but I'm mad at you!".

Something I couldn't help not noticing, were some awkward chord resolutions used by the singers in Sonny's family. During the scene where Sonny's wife Jessie (played by Farrah Fawcett) is singing with their children, the third-scale degree of the dominant chord resolves by leaping down to the fifth of the tonic chord, instead of resolving up to the tonic. I point this out to complement Mr. David Manfield, who has quite accurately standard practices of southern Christian hymn singing.

I think Robert Duvall deserved more than the best actor Oscar nomination he received. So I was glad that "The Apostle" received the most nominations from the Independent Spirit Awards (the Oscars of independent film), and won in categories for Best Feature, Best Director, and Best Male Lead. It must have taken a lot of personal conviction for Mr. Duvall, to invest thirteen years researching, writing, and personal money on this film. And the labor of love does show and pays off.

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