Some movies set out to inspire, to tell a seemingly impossible true story in hopes of lighting a fire under the viewer. Father Stu succeeds on this front, telling the tale of Stuart Long (Mark Wahlberg), a career semipro boxer with a lot to prove. Written and directed by Rosalind Ross, this theological biopic nests itself deeply in its Catholic roots, which may be a turn off for some. However, as Stu's story evolves, the religious aspect seems to compliment the plot, making for a truly interesting watch. Ross does well in her directorial debut, letting Stu tell the story and employing a hands-off approach. Father Stu is not groundbreaking by any means, and there are many more similar avenues of inspiration available to the public, but the 124-minute life story of a former boxer-turned-priest does have some merit.
Growing up in Montana, Stuart Long always viewed himself as an entertainer. He made his living as a small-time boxer, with hopes and dreams of making it big. Stu never had an easy life; his father, Bill (Mel Gibson), left his mother, Kathleen (Jacki Weaver), after his younger brother passed away. During a routine trip to the doctor after a fight, Stu is told that he is no longer fit to fight. Resilient and full of hope, Stu decides to move to Los Angeles and become an actor. After meeting his dream girl, Carmen (Teresa Ruiz), a devout Catholic, Stu decides to go through the holy sacraments. With everything finally starting to fall into place, Stu gets careless and is involved in a near-fatal motorcycle accident. Recovered and enlightened, Stuart decides to drop everything, including his relationship, and become a priest.
Without delving into spoiler territory, the pain and hardships that Stu endures in his life are astonishing. Some of his agony is self-inflicted, deriving from a drinking problem and a carefree attitude, but not everything is his fault. Many events that happen over the course of the film are devastating, but Stu's resolve keeps him moving forward, and a better man comes out of the other side. Wahlberg does well with his portrayal of Stu, never boring the audience and delivers on an inspiring performance. The rest of the acting in Father Stu is very complimentary; every relationship seems real and authentic. The chemistry is real here, as you can tell that many of the actors felt strongly about telling this story.
The film falters in its lack of depth. It never really makes you think, barring one's own religious sentiment, and instead just walks the audience through step-by-step. This is not a major problem; sometimes people want to go into a movie theater and shut their brains off, but the movie attempts to root itself deeper than that. By the time the credits roll, Father Stu just comes off as another interesting, unlikely anecdote that teeters on the brink of being forgotten. Some people will absolutely love it, others will walk out of the theater feeling robbed of their time (and money). There is nothing revolutionary about Father Stu, but the film is a capable tribute to a man who was, if nothing else, exceptionally entertaining.