Mark Wahlberg dials himself up to 11 in “Father Stu,” a never-ending tale of religious redemption and all-American bustle. Wahlberg’s career is filled with characters who completely believe in their game, and here, he throws himself into the awkward role of Stuart Long—a Montana boxer turned beloved priest who developed a degenerative muscle disease and 50 But died.
Three movies’ worth of underdog hooks fuels Wahlberg as the story winds up and sees him go. Stew boxes until his jaw cries uncle; going to Hollywood to become a star; converts to Catholicism (Teresa Ruiz as Carmen) to seduce a devout woman; Almost dies in a projectile motorcycle accident; and enters madrasa to become a priest. As if that wasn’t drama enough, Mel Gibson and Jackie Weaver split their parents.
Rosalind Ross, a writer who is directing her first film, and Wahlberg give an extra nudge from a country-heavy soundtrack, keeping expectations of the righteous-salvation story mostly light and barely breathing. . (It should come as no surprise that Wahlberg previously tried to develop Long’s story with David O. Russell, director of the screwball existentialist comedy “I Heart Huckabees.”
Along with Wahlberg’s general bluff, Stu’s woes about being close to God feed into his salty homes. This doesn’t automatically translate into a religious experience, and watching a movie can feel like two hours of heartfelt handshakes. But judging by the audience member at a preview screening, who sang along to the credits song, that’s part of the film’s appeal.
Father Stu
Rated R for full salty insult. Running Time: 2 hrs 4 mins. in Theaters.
