Film Snail

6.3

The Apostle

PG-13·1997·134m

Drama

Summary

After his happy life spins out of control, a preacher from Texas changes his name, goes to Louisiana and starts preaching on the radio.

Cast

Robert Duvall

Euliss Dewey

Farrah Fawcett

Jessie Dewey

Miranda Richardson

Toosie

John Beasley

Brother Blackwell

Walton Goggins

Sam

Billy Bob Thornton

Troublemaker

June Carter Cash

Mrs. Dewey Sr.

Billy Joe Shaver

Joe

Rick Dial

Elmo

Todd Allen

Horace

William Atlas Cole

Bayou Man

Kevin Rankin

Young Man in Car

Renee Victor

Latin Translator

Hunter Hayes

Child Accordionist

Terence Rosemore

Man Saying Amen

Mary Lynette Braxton

Mother Blackwell

Stuart Greer

Texas State Trooper

Daniel Hickman

Flashback Preacher

Emery Hopkins

Virgil

Jewell Jernigan

Sister Jewell

Zelma Loyd

Sister Johnson

Christina Stojanovich

Jessie Jr.

Nicholas Stojanovich

Bobbie

Douglas Perry

Louisiana State Trooper

Jay Robicheaux

Sonny (12 years old)

Joyce Jolivet Starks

Sister Delilah

Jan Fawcett

Needy Receiver #2

Erica Lynn Duncan

Texas Choir Member

Big Hawk

Sonny Supporter #1 (as John E. Hawkins)

Paul Bagget

Tag Team Preacher #3 (as Brother Paul Bagget)

Lenore Banks

Female Sonny Supporter

Brett Brock

Helper

Christopher Canady

Sister Johnson's Twin

Christian Canady

Sister Johnson's Twin

Elizabeth Chisolm

Singer

Frank Collins Jr.

Soloist #4 (as Reverend Frank Collins Jr.)

Carl D. Cook

Civic Auditorium Preacher (as Prophet Carl D. Cook)

Naomi Craig

Scripture Reader

Wayne Dehart

Liquor Store Preacher

Jim Gleason

Young Priest (as James Ivey Gleason)

Chili Graham

Tag Team Preacher #5 (as Reverend Chili Graham)

Bobby Green

Tag Team Preacher #1 (as Reverend Bobby Green)

Brenda B. Jackson

Faith Healer #2

Charles Johnson

Tag Team Preacher #2 (as Reverend Charles Johnson)

Julie Johnson

Baptism Soloist

Vera Kamp

Faith Healer #1

Joseph Granda

Soloist #1 (as Joseph Lindsey)

Sharon K. London

Church Woman

Fernie E. McMillan

Doctor

Jimmie J. Meaux

Church Member #2

L. Christian Mixon

Bodyguard

Richard Nance

Church Man #2

Harold Potier Sr.

Coronet George

Pat Ratliff

Accident Witness

Ronnie Stutes

Needy Receiver

Ruby Francis Terry

Soloist Choir Director

Graham Timbes

Church Man #1

James B. Towry

Nosey Neighbor

Jesse Waldrop

Sonny Supporter #2 (as Reverend Jesse Walkrop)

Steve White

Tag Team Preacher #4 (as Reverend Steve White)

Fay Winn

Tag Team Preacher #5 (as Sister Fay Winn)

Melete Woods

Soloist #3

Margaret Oliver Coleman

Texas Choir Member

Sharon Denise Dickerson

Texas Choir Member

Sondra Jackson Green

Texas Choir Member

David Henderson

Texas Choir Member

Parla J. Johnson

Texas Choir Member

Donna Siddiqui

Texas Choir Member

Tami Boaz Skelton

Texas Choir Member

Rachel V. Stevenson

Texas Choir Member

Gretchen Louise Watts

Texas Choir Member

Jerry H. Skelton

Organist

James Gammon

Brother Edwards (uncredited)

Crew

Director, Writer

Robert Duvall

Reviews

Wuchak

August 2, 2021

_**Character study of a flawed preacher**_

"The Apostle" (1997) is a film that I've appreciated more as I've matured. Writer/director Robert Duvall had to make it independently because studios wouldn’t touch the material. The story's a character study of a Southern Pentecostal preacher, Sonny (Duvall), whose wife wants to leave him (Farrah Fawcett) and more. Sonny reacts foolishly and is forced into exile to the backwaters of Louisiana. Wherever Sonny goes, he can't seem to part with his "calling" and "anointing" – to lead people to the LORD and motivate believers.

If you can't handle Pentecostalism and all that goes with it – lively praise & worship, charismatic gifts, evangelism and prayer – I suggest staying far away from "The Apostle." I also suggest you stay away if you're not into seeing depictions of Southern poverty or nigh-poverty since large portions of the film take place in this environment.

Duvall's idea was to do a modern take on the King David tragedy: A man of God who falls into adultery and, then, worse. Even so, Duvall stated in a 2010 interview that Sonny's sins aren't half as bad as David's since there are big differences between their transgressions.

"The Apostle" is the best kind of character study because it evokes strong opinions and interesting discussions. Is Sonny a genuine but seriously flawed minister or just a phony who doesn't know it? Put another way, can a Christian be a "man (or woman) after God's own heart" and still commit serious sins? Does Sonny legitimately repent or does he evade repentance? Is the theology presented in the film shallow or heavy? Is resorting to righteous anger or corporeal punishment sometimes appropriate for the New Testament believer or should Christians always be lovey-dovey doormats?

There's nothing like "The Apostle" in cinema. It's a unique and moving drama that gets better with repeat viewings because a lot of what is conveyed is subtle and wordless. There's just the right amount of ambiguity that keeps the viewer guessing and the movie open to interpretation.

The film runs 2 hours, 14 minutes, and was shot in Collin County & Denton County, Texas (both just north of Dallas) and Lafayette, Louisiana.

GRADE: A-