The Gospel

This was by no means an outstanding movie, and if I didn't feel some professional obligation to see it (I'm a pastor) I probably would have passed. But then I would have missed out on a solid film telling a compelling story with some fine acting and even better music.

Yes, many of the characters are two-dimensional, and yes, the plot is predictable. But that's because it's telling an old, old story. Within that old, old story a variety of subplots bring up real-life issues in families, workplaces, churches...and excuses to bring on some very fine black gospel music (as well as gospel adaptations of popular "white" tunes).

I'm not a pastor in the black church, so I can't speak to the back rooms of that culture, but I can say that most pastors of whatever stripe do face the lure to "bigger and better," whether it be budget or attendance or campus acreage or book sales or conference registrations. And the wives of pastors face the constant challenge of being both honest and supportive, without losing their own integrity in what's a very difficult environment.

I would definitely recommend this film; for all its shortcomings it is a powerful piece.

The Gospel was a nice movie. It was what the Fighting Temptations should have been. Unlike the Fighting Temptations, this movie dealt with real situations and showed people going through real struggles. It showed people who were flawed and who were struggling with their faith but who persevered and grew. It was not a groundbreaking movie but there were surprises. Some of the characters went in different directions than I expected. The ending could have been made a little clearer. The director choose to end with flashes of scenes that you had to look at quickly before they went away. But it was a nice movie. The music was nice too, although I would have liked to have seen more variety in the songs they picked. Most of the songs came from only one composer.

There is something about THE GOSPEL that makes you want to like it: some fine actors (Boris Kodjoe, Idris Elba, Clifton Powell, Tamyra Gray, Aloma Wright, Nona Gaye) and some really terrific gospel singing. Writer/director Rob Hardy stretches the biblical tale of the Prodigal Son to the updated story of the son of a bishop of an evangelical church who runs away to become a R&B singing star only to return to his father when cancer of the prostate signals the end of his life. The 'other' son has inherited the mantle of the bishop with special interests deflecting his commitment to the bishop's origins and the Prodigal Son finally finds acceptance in offering his talents to further the original dream of his father.

The script is conversationally pedestrian but the actors do their best to make credible characters. There is a sense of commitment from the cast of extras that leaves a warm afterglow, but in the end this is a slight story saved by some fine music. Grady Harp, January 05

This was a pretty generic movie. If you like Gospel music this will set the mark. But do not look for anything but a text book prodigal son returns story to go along with the music. I probably could of wrote this review without seeing the movie because of the formula for this sort of the movie is the same the players just change.

1) Two boyhood friends

2) Something catastrophic happens to make one of them go astray

3) One stays home and basically becomes the either a Priest, A social Worker, a teacher or a policeman or some other pillar of the community.

4) The other one either became a harden criminal, or rich and famous who has lost his way and has rejected his previous life

5) Something catastrophic brings him home again, Either they are running from the cops. There's a death in the family or a little brother is out of control and is one step away from being on the Top of the FBI's Most Wanted List

6) Man returns only to find his best friend is either bitter or or to good to be true. Then neighborhood is in shambles and the Prostitute or the dope fiend at the corner is his ex girlfriend who left when he ran out of town. Oh and a family member is sicker then expected. And a beloved local landmark, be it a church, a park, a movie theater or high school hangout is being threaten with closure or is in shambles

7) the ending either consist of the person being captured by police in the case of the criminal, after saintly best friend turns him in. Or he decides to stay and use some of the millions he had made to thwart the beloved place from closing down. And if they do not get their ex girlfriend from turning tricks and taking dope they will fall in love with a new girl. Bitter buddy and him have mended fences. And they all live happily ever after. The End.

This movie has a little bit of each of the steps I mentioned with a few variations to the template. I believe the supporting cast was very good and the music was. But the following is a Bad Actor Alert from the Emergency Broadcast System. I loved him on Soul food but Boris Kedjoe was about as convincing as the Singing Nun playing a Usher type R&B star and was equally not convincing as a Gospel singer. That scene at his mothers grave toward the end of movie rivals the bad acting of Vin Diesel. This is a actor who IMO was good and good looking in Soul Food. But something was lacking here. He even looked strangely odd to me. His Co-star Idris Elba from The Wire on the other hand was very good. I think I could watch him in about anything.

I would recommend this move for people who love Gospel music. But for me because of the laziness of the script and the absolutely appalling acting from the lead the movie was barely watchable.

I wanted to comment on the comments about why people dislike this movie. I liked the Ten Commandments, The Fighting Temptations, Kingdom Come etc. My dislike for this movie had nothing to do with some anti religious sentiment. My dislike with the movie is because it was just a big music video with a generic script wrapped around it. Sort of like those bad Elvis Presley movies like Girls! Girls! Girls! when in the script was just added to the his singing. Being there are so little types of these movies being made I believe a lot of people crave them and are more then willing to over look the ineptness of this movie. We should expect more and demand it.

The Gospel is an enjoyable movie with excellent singing. This is a feel good movie that probably won't earn an Oscar but it is very entertaining nevertheless. Some members of the cast were exceptional including Idris Elba, Clifton Powell and Donnie McClurkin. Tamyra Gray did a good job in her big screen debut. It had a good message and I would recommend it. If you enjoy gospel music, this movie should not be missed. Some of the top stars of gospel music appear in this movie including, Yolanda Adams, Fred Hammond, Hezekiah Walker, etc. This movie gives a fairly good depiction of church politics. It has comedy, drama and some tragedy mixed in. A good movie for the entire family. The soundtrack of the movie is enjoyable also.