The Apostle - Robert Duvall (1997)

Robert Duvall wrote, directed and produced this film. He also acts. And he really is this film.

I'm always a little suspicious about actors directing, it seems to me that they tend to direct actors and let all other aspects of filmmaking to the crew and take the credit. In this case Duvall does a really great job.

The story is simple: a religious man, who belongs to those churches that rely on their leaders being charismatic, has his own personal devils. It's about a someone who shelters in religion but the good thing is that the film doesn't judge him for his sins, we are supposed to think about it. Can people do something bad and still be good people?

It's a relatively small film, nice to watch, warm colours, with lovely sound atmospheres. The best thing about it are the performances: Duvall, who is really a preacher who would convince and win over anyone, and the non-professional actors. He seems to have chosen them really well. They are not just playing themselves (like non-professional actors should do) but they are also taking their own religiousness into the film which makes them more real, vulnerable and likeable.

The Apostle