The Apostle [Paperback]

Robert Duvall (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Trade (March 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425166074
• ISBN-13: 978-0425166079
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (169 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,136,624 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

106 of 109 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Get out of the way, Jupiter and Mars!", February 17, 2001

By 

Mike Powers "mkp51" (Woolwich, ME USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Apostle [VHS] (VHS Tape)

"The Apostle," starring Robert Duvall, Farrah Fawcett, Miranda Richardson, and John Beasley, is an outstanding film... beautifully written and acted, breathtaking in its simplicity and yet imbued with complex and deeply etched characters, a stunning and realistic portrayal of life inside a southern Pentecostal Christian community, and an eloquent chronicle of one man's search for redemption.

The movie's premise is simple and effective. Euliss "Sonny" Dewey (played by Robert Duvall) is a Pentecostal preacher who has everything: a loving wife Jessie (Farrah Fawcett) and two adoring children; a doting mother (June Carter-Cash); and a thriving ministry. He is respected and loved by his church community.

But Sonny is also a womanizer, and a man who suspects his wife being involved in an adulterous relationship of her own. Jessie is indeed having an affair with Horace, the youth minister in their church. When Sonny discovers the truth about his wife, his life unravels. He is ousted as pastor of his church. One day, Sonny momentarily loses control, and in a drunken rage, smashes Horace's skull with a baseball bat.

Sonny flees from justice. Styling himself an itinerant preacher, he travels through rural southeastern Texas and into the bayou country of Louisiana. While he is traveling, he hears the voice of his conscience peck away at his vanity and worldly ways.

The majority of this beautiful film takes place in a small town in Louisiana's bayou country. Sonny, now self-baptized as "The Apostle E.F.," sets about resurrecting a small Pentecostal church which had fallen into disuse after the retirement of its pastor. With an infectious smile, eternally effervescent personality, and obvious love for the Lord, the "Apostle E.F." soon sets this bayou community on its ear. The Apostle, however, is constantly aware of his past, as his conscience reminds him of the enormity of his crime. How he deals with the issue of balancing God's love with God's justice is perhaps the central theme of this marvelous film.

It took Robert Duvall fourteen years to see this project through to fruition, and his commitment shows throughout the film. His performance as "The Apostle E.F." has tremendous depth and credibility. In this veteran actor's hands, the character of Sonny Dewey illuminates the screen. Other performances of note are those of John Beasley as the compassionate yet strong-willed Reverend Blackwell; and in an excellent cameo appearance, June Carter-Cash as Sonny's mother. Only the performance of Farrah Fawcett seems to suffer in this film. Her portrayal of Jessie Dewey seemed to lack power; the character she played seemed too unemotional and detached in every scene in which she appeared.

"The Apostle" is a well crafted film which explores many issues confronting humanity: good versus evil; justice versus mercy; and virtue versus vice. This movie provides sensitive answers to pressing questions, and does so without ever becoming moralistic or "preachy." With a top-shelf screenplay and first-rate performances by an excellent cast, The Apostle is wonderful entertainment, as well as a movie with an important message.

56 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Film That Finally Gets Christianity Right!, February 17, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Las Cruces, New Mexico USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Apostle [VHS] (VHS Tape)

We've all heard and seen films that portray Christians (especially from the South) as villans, fools, bigots, and zealots. At last, from legendary actory Robert Duvall, comes a film that is so riveting and poignant and full of love that it is, quite simply, astonishing. Duvall's Apostle E.F. is no saintly, sinless caricature. He is a man who has heard God from an early age, but is subject to the same vices that plague the rest of us. His struggle with and utter dependence on the Lord will move you. His dedication to rebuilding an old church in Bayou country into a multi-racial love fest is sheer poetry. His fire in preaching the love and forgiveness of Christ, when we know he needs it every bit as much as we do, leaves an indelible mark on us. Even prison does not lift Apostle's need to preach. I've rarely seen a film that is so personal, so touching, and so real. A must-see for Christians and non-Christians. Forget Good Will Hunting and LA Confidential. The Apostle is a real movie, and uplifting experience. Enjoy!!

81 of 89 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most honost film I've seen in terms of dealing with....., February 14, 2003

By 

Joel Munyon "Joel Munyon" (Joliet, Illinois - the poohole of America.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Apostle (DVD)

...Christianity. Many Christians I know despise this film. I think it's mainly because The Apostle shows the bitter truth behind the men and women who serve God. This film is not apologetic or remotely reverent; it is brutally honest and actually, when considered closely, quite refreshing.

Rovert Duvall, in a role that was destined for him, plays the part of a eccentric preacher who is running from his problems. His problems, and there are many, force him to leave his mega-church and flee from police. His actions - which I won't spoil - are shocking but somewhat justifiable.

When out of town, the Apostle begins a multi-racial church in the deep south, cutting cross dividing lines while vigorously regaining his passion for the Lord. In it is in these moments, when he confronts his own lusts and fears, that the character of the Apostle shines through in honest, heart-bursting segments. He is a broken man, but still a man of God, just as many of the men and women of the Bible are. Bruised, battered, yet still willing. That's what I loved about this film. It is a true depiction of people who follow Jesus. We have misgivings, tempers, pride and lusts, yet, when it's all said and done, we can still move on.

There is one segment, when a racist bigot - played handsomely by Billy Bob Thorton -threatens to tear down the mult-racial church. The scene ends with Thorton's exclusionary character on his knees in deep remorse and weeping for forgiveness. It's a beautiful thing to behold.

This film is ruggedly honest and will make the pious and self-righteous crowd cringe with prudent dissaproval. But hey, those of you who are in touch with reality will probably love this film. I'm a preacher's kid and I know an honest attempt when I see one. This is it. Enjoy!