ok, every once in a while I like coming to the off topic board here, and reviewing a book I've read. It gives me a chance to excercise my brain etc etc etc.
Well tonight I decided to do something different. I came home from work and pulled a DVD our of my collection, cracked a beer and watched the show.
So without any further ado, its a CaptainCrunch review from the vault.
Leap of Faith starring Steve Martin, Debra Winger, Lolita Davidovitch, and Lukas Haas.
Now I have to admit, that I'm a huge Steve Martin fan, there's no way that anyone can argue that he isn't one of the great comedy actors in the last 20 years, The Jerk, The Man with Two Brains, and Roxanne were great and light hearted comedies that allowed Martin to show off his physical comedy and wit. But like Robin Williams, Steve Martin stretched into serious and complex roles. Leap of Faith is one of those movies.
Steve Martin plays Jonas Nightingale, a con artist disguised as a evangelist, basically he goes from town to town, preaching the name of the lord while collecting massive donations. He's ably assisted by Jane, a bright pretty girl played by Debra Winger.
The first scene in the movie shows Jonas taking advantage of a state patrol man who he not only talks out of a ticket, but gains a donation, this shows Jonas as a corrupt but charming individual. The movie moves along at a rapid clip in the first half, with the highlight being the first service where you get a neat behind the scenes look at how a slick revival meeting plays the people.
My only issue with this movie is that it bogs down halfway through as we get dragged into the romances between Lolita Davidovitch and Martin, which never gets explored, and Winger and a young Liam Neeeson, which just seems dry and passionless.
The movie shifts back into high gear as we witness a miracle that shakes all of the main character to the core, and eventually leads to the redemption of Jonas Nightingale.
If you haven't seen this movie, Steve Martin's acting and the fact that he sells the roll makes up for some of the short comings, and the preaching sessions and con games are fun to walk. Debra winger is also solid in the roll, but I've always been a fan of hers.
Sadly Liam Neeson is badly miscast as the straight arrow sherriff, and Lukas Haas just dosen't have the charisma to play what is basically the Jesus character that is supposed to redeem all of the characters.
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My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!
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