p e n g u i n d e v i l

Scrolling around looking for something to watch, I settled on The Apostle. This little film was written, produced, and directed by the always brilliant Robert Duvall, who also starred in it. And it really was quite good. I always like it when actors make these “personal project” things, I think those movies tend to turn out pretty good. This is the story of a preacher in the south who, due to some problems with his wife, ends up running from the law. But this isn’t any regular running from the law! This preacher just takes it as if Jesus is sending him somewhere else to do his bidding so he wanders until he gets directed to a minister and he decides to open up a new church. Not using is real name, of course. Now he is just The Apostle E.F.

I love the character of Apostle E.F., Robert Duvall plays him wonderfully and you feel like (not that I know from experience) you know what the poor South is like and what it feels like to be filled with the holy spirit. His single-minded drive to serve Jesus and his overwhelmingly good natured love for everyone and acceptance of everything that comes his way shows a spirit of life that I am both fascinated by and respect. No matter what ills befall him, or what “sins” he committed, he strives onward, completely dedicated to what he thinks is right. It is kind of simple-minded (I don’t mean that in a bad way) seeming as he goes about his mission and I couldn’t help but think it would be nice if everyone had the respect for themselves and for other that he showed, but I imagine that most of us are too overwhelmed with ego needs and personal agenda to be that open, helpful and compassionate all of the time.

So it is a invigorating movie, about resilience and dedication and a love of humanity. I read somewhere someone said that it was about redemption, but I didn’t see it that way.