Traditional Catholics: Why “Father Stu” is not for you!
Since this is my first "official" movie review, I should make it known from the outset that I am no novice with movies. I grew up watching many films and would challenge anyone to a movie trivia game. Even as a youth, I could've easily given Siskel and Ebert a run for their money! My favorite movies and actors often won Oscars (when the Oscars meant something and hadn't been overshadowed by agendas or man's loss of self-control). That being said, I have lamented the state of the Film Industry over the last few years. Like so much in this Culture of Death, good films are in decline, with only a few escaping the noose.
Okay, on to my review. But first, a little context might be necessary for you to understand my mindset and the events leading up to my going to watch this film.
It's Holy Week, and my fellow Sojourners and I have been preparing for this "Week That Changed The World." Wanting to deepen our acts of self-denial and penance, we were to refrain from all music, increase our fasting and prayer, and watch only religious movies, if any at all.
On Holy Tuesday, I received an email from Angelus News reviewing "Father Stu." Hailing it as Mel Gibson's "best movie, even better than The Passion of the Christ, a movie that was sure to call many vocations to the priesthood, and could be a Catholic family classic for generations to come," I had to watch this "movie for our times!"
Remember that I had no intention of watching this film before reading this glowing review.
(Click here to be redirected to Angelus News review.)
I'm not a fan of Mark Wahlberg. It's not because of certain movies he's done, like "Boogie Nights" (a disgusting film he's expressed regret over), but because he's what many—myself included— refer to as a "lukewarm Catholic." He posts pictures of ashes on his head on Ash Wednesday and often speaks of his Faith, but he has no qualms about coming out in movies that attack it. Recently, he starred in a film, "Joe Bell," the true story of a father whose son takes his own life after being bullied for being gay. In his quest to walk cross country to speak against bullying (a noble cause), there's a scene where he references the Church negatively. Although it's typical of Hollywood to use one-liners to go out of its way to attack the Faith, why would a "faithful" Catholic agree to lines that offend it? Especially when those lines have absolutely nothing to do with the movie? Sell-out!
Now we come to "Father Stu.” This movie was hard to sit through. This film solidified my presumptions about Mark Wahlberg. In my opinion, this is his worst film. Why? Because, in large part, it's about the Catholic Faith! As a "faithful" Catholic, he has an opportunity to showcase the Faith he claims to love, right? He's a producer of the film and should have a say in what lines stay or go. The result? This movie has blasphemy, inappropriate "humor," flawed theology, and cringe-worthy dialogue. Very often, I found myself uncomfortable during this film. There was too much to overlook in attempting to share the sentiments of that review.
I simply couldn't. Was I missing something? Then I realized what it was! Novus Ordo Catholicism, Catholicism attempting to bring itself down to the level of this sinful world instead of elevating it to God.
With 70% of the Church’s members not believing in the Real Presence, this film will only add to that number. This film displays much of what we often see in parishes where the Traditional Latin Mass is not celebrated: irreverence. This film will not inspire many vocations to the priesthood, not the traditional priesthood, anyway. No, God is not our “buddy” that we can continue using the same foul language used to talk with other buddies, certainly not in the confessional! No, seminarians discerning the priesthood shouldn’t touch women inappropriately!
Although the end may have been praiseworthy, I was already too disturbed by what I had seen and heard.
Would I feel differently had I seen this movie outside of Holy Week? Had my lenten practices borne fruit? I'm not sure. But I pray that this film just did a poor job of telling the story of Father Long (Stu), as it did in portraying the priesthood and the authentic Catholic Faith. This film was an inferior representation of both.
