Customer Reviews

Mass Appeal (Import Edition - NTSC format - Region 1 - Playable in North America)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

What better movie for a priest to review than 'Mass Appeal'? Directed by Glenn Jackson, and co-starring veteran actors Jack Lemmon and Charles Durning with relative newcomer Zeljko Ivanek, this story has influenced me in interesting ways.

Lemmon plays Father Farley, a jaded, settled Roman Catholic rector of a prominent parish, ultimately dis-satisfied with his lot in life but terrified nonetheless of losing it. Into this comfortable world steps an upstart seminarian Dolson (played by Ivanek), who has more principle than tact, and more passion than people skills.

The rector and the seminarian end up being placed together in a mentoring situation by the seminary dean, Mons. Burke (Durning), an autocratic moralist with strict rules on priestly formation. Various issues resound in the relationships of each of these characters with each other, the seminary, the congregation, and ultimately with their own destinies. Farley's issues with past abuse, Dolson's life on the wild side prior to seminary, and Burke's paranoia all enter the interplay of church politics and the discernment of a spiritual calling.

Farley is both irritated by and inspired by the seminarian. The seminarian takes a stand for honesty which costs him his appointment. The dean refuses to listen to anyone, including his friend Farley, and begins to question Farley's integrity as a priest as well.

Farley learns that it is never to late to hear a call, and that what he thought was his call in fact was a facade. Dolson finally realises that the in-your-face approach to public relations is not very pastoral, but his listening skills far exceed those around him, and he becomes trusted by Farley. Alas, the dean--what becomes of him? We never know.

Where God leads is a difficult question, with no easy answers, and we can spend much of our time following our version of that vocation without really ever touching the substance of it (as did Father Farley). We can be so overzealous for it that we might burn it out before it comes into being, rather like a forced hot-house flower that blooms prematurely and then dies too soon (similar to Dolson's experience).

This is an interesting film which brings up issues of polity, morality, reconciliation and redemption, themes that are far more prevalent in life than we would ordinarily think. This movie may not have mass appeal but can be enjoyed and, perhaps, give insight to all viewers, be they Roman Catholic, other denominations of Christian, of other religions, or even no religion at all.

In "Mass Appeal," Jack Lemmon gives one of the most thoughtful, thorough performances of his acting career. Given wonderful, wide-ranging support by young and spirited Zjelko Ivanec, the inimitable Charles Durning, and the underrated Louise Latham, his portrayal of a Catholic priest who has to face the failures of his own life to save the priesthood of another human being who happens to be gay is truly magnificent! "Mass Appeal" is one not-to-be-missed film. I only hope that it is restored to circulation soon.

Humphrey Bogart, Bing Crosby, Spencer Tracy, Montgomery Clift, Jack Lemmon--what do they have in common? All played priests, but no one more convincingly than Lemmon in this story about a popular, "bourgeois," crowd-pleasing conservative priest who is suddenly challenged by a young liberal seminarian representing honesty, forthrightness, and social change. The "message" primarily concerns the old dog, popular priest learning to change his ways, while the radical young seminarian also absorbs lessons about the real world and dealing with people. But forget about the story and its themes. As a movie, "Mass Appeal" is 3 stars; as a script 4; as a vehicle for one of the screen's most colorful, personable, irresistibly charismatic actors, it's 5 all the way. Here's proof positive: though the story calls for Lemmon to play the part of the rather "bad" guy--someone who lies and schmoozes and sugar-coats the Gospel in order to fill the offering plates each Sunday--it's his character and not the seminarian's who rivets our attention, maintains our interest, and inhabits our memories long after the film is over. The truth-telling, liberal, activist seminarian, on the other hand, is little more than a "generic" character cast from a late 1960s mold. The point is that neither of the parts is especially distinguished on the basis of the writing alone; rather, it's Lemmon's unique ability to give a "face" to his role that makes both his character as well as the film work.

Excellent film, thoughtful yet entertaining. Not without flaws, surely, and in light of recent events the setting may obscure the story. And it's a good story, one I sorely wish was available in a widescreen DVD edition.

The story is, in fact, about flaws. Flaws at both ends of the spectrum. Youth explores its newly opened world, trying all of its offerings with abandon, testing its boundries, but at what cost? Age conserves its resources, adheres to the safer paths, braised in its own hindsight and supposed wisdom, but at what cost?

MASS APPEAL is not about those in or seeking power. The characters, like you and me, won't move mountains or shake the foundations of the world. But they wrestle with what's right and what's practical in deciding how they will affect the community they rub shoulders with. What is effective and what isn't; how even the best efforts fall short, if they come too late.

This is a movie about everyday courage.

This is one of the finest films I've ever seen. As a seminarian myself, I am convinced this film should be required viewing for all seminarians, priests, and all formators in the pre-seminary and seminary systems. Jack Lemmon and Zeljko Ivanek give poweful performances as Father Tim Farley and Deacon Mark Dolson; Lemmon's character is a wildly popular but complacent parish priest. Ivanek, in the role of a newly ordained transitional deacon, plays the idealistic and brash seminarian who conflicts with Fr. Farley's "song and dance" theology. As the two interact, a friendship is forged and the aging priest rediscovers his priestly vocation from the prodding of the young deacon. Ultimately, Fr. Farley finds himself in the position of defending young Dolson against the homophobic attack of the seminary rector.
While the theology of this film is not 100% sound, the overall theme is absolutely solid and gives you a lot of truth to think about. Whether it be Deacon Dolson's sordid past or the laziness of Father Farley's priestly ministry, the issues addressed are poignant and powerful. You simply must see this film!

What better movie for a priest to review than 'Mass Appeal'? Directed by Glenn Jackson, and co-starring veteran actors Jack Lemmon and Charles Durning with relative newcomer Zeljko Ivanek, this story has influenced me in interesting ways.

Lemmon plays Father Farley, a jaded, settled Roman Catholic rector of a prominent parish, ultimately dis-satisfied with his lot in life but terrified nonetheless of losing it. Into this comfortable world steps an upstart seminarian Dolson (played by Ivanek), who has more principle than tact, and more passion than people skills.

The rector and the seminarian end up being placed together in a mentoring situation by the seminary dean, Mons. Burke (Durning), an autocratic moralist with strict rules on priestly formation. Various issues resound in the relationships of each of these characters with each other, the seminary, the congregation, and ultimately with their own destinies. Farley's issues with past abuse, Dolson's life on the wild side prior to seminary, and Burke's paranoia all enter the interplay of church politics and the discernment of a spiritual calling.

Farley is both irritated by and inspired by the seminarian. The seminarian takes a stand for honesty which costs him his appointment. The dean refuses to listen to anyone, including his friend Farley, and begins to question Farley's integrity as a priest as well.

Farley learns that it is never to late to hear a call, and that what he thought was his call in fact was a facade. Dolson finally realises that the in-your-face approach to public relations is not very pastoral, but his listening skills far exceed those around him, and he becomes trusted by Farley. Alas, the dean--what becomes of him? We never know.

Where God leads is a difficult question, with no easy answers, and we can spend much of our time following our version of that vocation without really ever touching the substance of it (as did Father Farley). We can be so overzealous for it that we might burn it out before it comes into being, rather like a forced hot-house flower that blooms prematurely and then dies too soon (similar to Dolson's experience).

This is an interesting film which brings up issues of polity, morality, reconciliation and redemption, themes that are far more prevalent in life than we would ordinarily think. This movie may not have mass appeal but can be enjoyed and, perhaps, give insight to all viewers, be they Roman Catholic, other denominations of Christian, of other religions, or even no religion at all.

The DVD has yet to be officially released in North America; until then, these occasionally available foreign editions will have to do, unless one will get the VHS (but the film is worth it in any format).

"Mass Appeal" is one of Jack Lemmon's lesser known films; I hadn't heard much about it, so I was very pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Lemmon plays Father Tim Farley, a popular Catholic priest in a wealthy area of Los Angeles. His congregation adores him, often seeking out for advice and gifting him with wine. His masses are softball feel-good affairs, although Father Tim likes to think that he challenges his congregration via occasional "dialogue sermons," during which he takes questions about hot topics (e.g., female priests). At one such sermon, Father Tim finds himself pressed by a young man (Mark Dolson played by Zeljko Ivanek); irritated, he's surprised to find out that Dolson is in the seminary. When the local Monsignor announces that he is not letting Dolson continue on to become a Deacon, Father Tim (against his better judgment) argues that Dolson should get another chance. However, he regrets it when the Monsignor agrees - as long as Dolson serves in Father Tim's church.

Based on a play by Bill C. Davis, "Mass Appeal" sounds like heavy-going, but it's actually a warm, light comedy. Dolson and Father Tim clash in amusing ways, but gradually they learn from each other, leading to the big if predictable conclusion. Jack Lemmon is terrific as Father Tim, and even gets a drunk scene that allows him to stretch a bit. Louise Latham also scores as Father Tim's loyal but rather neurotic housekeeper. The obscurity of "Mass Appeal" is a pity, as it's really a quite good movie. I think it would appeal (pun intended), for example, to fans of the Mitford book series.

We have enjoyed watching this movie over and over, so we bought an extra copy. It is hard to find on dvd but is available. It is a wonderful family oriented movie about a young man becoming a priest and being trained by an enjoyable priest (Jack Lemmon). Hilarious as well as wonderful content.

This is one of my favorite movies. Very smart - very entertaining. Lemmon delivers a gripping performance. Spectacular acting by the supporting cast makes this film a first-rate film. As one of Lemmon's finest performances, it is definitely worth watching.

I had seen this movie a long time ago.. I looked and looked for it and it was never available. How happy I was to finally find it!!! This is Jack Lemmon at his very best. A great story.