Instead of going to a theater to watch a movie on some weekends, we rent dvds from Blockbusters. Usually, we know exactly what to rent--or just scan the many alleys to choose.
This Friday, there was not much that caught our interests- but Rick chose "National Treasure" starring Nicolas Cage andI I chose "Man of Faith"--starring a "nobody" but with an array of interesting supports like Faye Dunaway, Robert Wagner, and Jill St. John. I said, oh well it looks like a "B" movie but I still picked it out of so many other DVDs. the "teaser" read:
Faith is all he needed to change the world --based on the true story of Reverend Leroy Jenkins of Phoenix, Arizona.
Well, guess what...this supposedly B movie, I thought, turned out to be very enlightening---not because of the supporting known stars, but because of its theme. It is based on a true life's story of a man who at a very young age...showed signs of being among the "chosen ones" and whose coloful life, indeed, makes for interesting watching.
The caption on the cover says" Transformed through faith and endowed with the power to heal others thru a mysterious force he calls "The Spirit", Leroy Jenkins (portrayed by Damian Chapa) begins his career as an evangelist and quickly builds one of the largest ministries in America. Befriending the likes of Mae West (Faye D), he soon becomes a celebrity himself. he rocks the establishment singing the gospel like Elvis, dressing as flamboyant as Liberace, and lashes out at anyone who doubts or opposes him. As he gets wealthier, Leroy makes many enemies, mistakes, and is ultimately betrayed. With his life and ministry threatened, he now must come to a final reckoning with his pride, faith, and with "the Spirit" himself."
Surprisingly, unless I am watching movies of either action or horror types, I fall asleep halfway thru a movie, especially if we start watching by 10:00 pm. But not in this case ---why even Rick stayed up late to finish the movie.
Well, the movie has its flaws (basically--the sound wasn't too good in SOME parts), the main character was potrayed by, like I mentioned, a totally unknown star (?)....but his life story is really very colorful. marked by a prison term of 12 years--and how he has influenced unbelievers and sinners while serving his prison term.
One can draw a lot of insights from this movie and I suggest and recommend that if you can find it from your Blockbusters or however you call the dvd stores near you, go rent this one---and I hope you will like it...the way we did!
