If you have any interest in Fundamentalism, and more particularly Pentecostalism, Robert Duvall's The Apostle http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi1183383833/ is a film worth seeing. Duvall wrote the script, produced, directed, and played the lead role of Euliss F. “Sonny” Dewey. Such was his passion for this project that he used his own money to finance it when he found no takers in Hollywood .
The Apostle Sonny embodies the dilemma faced by the Apostle Paul: “For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do” (Romans 7:19).
As a work of art, the film is a nuanced presentation of a mostly stereotyped part of our cultural landscape. It conveys affection for Pentecostals - yet the characters have unflattering quirks. Its portrayal of zealous faith strikes a middle ground between the gaudiness of a televangelist's program and the hatefulness of Bill Maher's mockumentary, Religulous. It's not a hit-piece or a puff-piece. Pentecostal power wins the heart of a hardcore racist redneck. Pentecostal petulance has grown women quarreling childishly on the church bus.
In the flesh, the Pentecostal preacher clubs his wife's lover with a baseball bat. In the spirit, he shows poor folks on the wrong side of the tracks how to work together and love each other.
Pentecostals are worthy of respect as part of America. You don't have to choose between adoring them and loathing them.
Some personal background information about myself might explain why I so appreciate this movie.
After my conversion to Christianity in 1976, I spent twenty years in Fundamentalist, Pentecostal, and Holiness churches, including over ten in the notorious Community Chapel. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_Chapel_and_Bible_Training_Center
Those two decades were the best and worst years of my life. During them, I saw and experienced extremes of both: joy and despair; friendship and betrayal; affirmation and abuse; enlightenment and deception; revelation and confusion. I met the love of my life, my wife, and came to know God as my very best friend.
Fundamentalists and Pentecostals were there with encouragement and friendship for me at several key times in my life. They taught me many good things that will always be part of my foundation.
During those years, I also met tremendously gifted people who committed suicide, and others who did unspeakable things.
I wouldn't trade those experiences for anything. Nor would I want to go through them again.
Today, I'm just a Christian, not a Fundamentalist or a Pentecostal. I find their views of the Bible and Christian faith to be truncated. Nevertheless, I'll defend these good people against scurrilous attacks, and denounce the bigotry so often directed at them from those who claim to stand for tolerance and diversity.
And recommend The Apostle as a worthy approach to the subject.
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