“God wanted a fighter and he found one” is the tag line of Mark Wahlberg’s latest film, Father Stu. Wahlberg stars as Stuart Long, an amateur boxer who after one too many injuries is told his fighting career is over. In a weird twist, Stu decides to move to Los Angeles so he can be discovered and become a movie star.
Stu takes a job at a supermarket, believing it’s the perfect way to be discovered since he can show off his charm to customers. It’s there that his life takes an unexpected turn when he meets and falls head-over-heels for Carmen (Teresa Ruiz), a no-nonsense devout Catholic school teacher who shuts down his bad boy flirtations.
Determined to win her over, Stu – a long-time agnostic – begins to attend church on a regular basis. He even enthusiastically tells Carmen he’ll be baptized into the Catholic faith, declaring, “Bring on the water, I’ll do it right now.”
Carmen truly believes Stu is sincere and the twosome move from just dating to becoming serious. Stu’s happiness with Carmen is cut short, however, when a motorcycle accident leaves him desperately clinging to life.
When Stu finally wakes and begins his recovery he starts to question why he survived such a horrible accident. His friend Ham (Aaron Moten) tells him he believes God saw something in him worth saving and now it’s up to Stu to decide what he’s got to offer. After some deep thinking and soul-searching, Stu realizes he wants to spend his life helping people. He can do that best by becoming a Catholic priest.
Stu’s decision shocks everyone in his life including his mother (Jacki Weaver) and his tough, grizzled, estranged, alcoholic father (Mel Gibson).
Based on a true story, Father Stu is an inspiring, spiritual film filled with humor, deep drama, and excellent performances. Mark Wahlberg, who also produced the film, gives his best performance since The Fighter as Stu Long, a likable, bold, and tough individual who finally discovers the life he was always meant to lead. Wahlberg’s portrayal doesn’t shy away from Stu’s more annoying and unpleasant character traits while also capturing the spirit and determination of the man.
Mel Gibson steals almost every scene he’s in as Stu’s estranged father, Bill, a man who tries to diminish and tear down anyone and anything Stu looks up to or admires. The scenes shared by Gibson and Wahlberg are intense, moving, and even at times humorous.
Jacki Weaver is wonderful as Stu’s mother, Kathleen, who only wants her son to be happy, healthy, and to stop his self-destructive behavior. The scene where Stu tells her about becoming a priest is both funny and surprising.
With first-rate performances, plenty of humor, and some divine moments, Father Stu is a crowd-pleasing and moving film.
GRADE: B
MPAA Rating: R for language throughout
Running Time: 2 hours 4 minutes
Release Date: April 13, 2022
Directed By: Rosalind Ross
Studio: Columbia Pictures
