Entertainment

Did Christians fail with ‘Father Stu’…or Vice Versa?


Mark Wahlberg’s passion project didn’t ignite moviegoers.

“Father Stu,” based on a touching true story, grossed $6 million over the weekend, bringing its total to $8.5 million to date. The film follows “Sonic the Hedgehog 2,” “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore,” “The Lost City,” and “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”

That’s after both Wahlberg and co-star Mel Gibson performed media sieges to promote the film during this very holy time of year for Christians.

That group, rarely targeted by mainstream movies, didn’t appear immediately. Did they fail in a movie designed to speak for themselves? Or other factors in the game?

Jacob Airey, pop culture expert and founder StudioJakeMedia.comindicates the release date of the fiim, which seemed obvious on paper, but could have been against it.

Airey, a Christian pop culture observer and author of “Seven Royals“Fantasy series.

Christians often rate “Christian” films harsher than other titles, he added.

RELATED: Here’s How Smart Mark Wahlberg Is With Cultural Cancellation

Movie blogger Sarah Hargett said the film’s humble beginnings could convince Sony and other studios to steer clear of similar ticket prices. The fact that “Father Stu” exists, however, stems from Wahlberg’s commitment to the document.

Oscar Nominee pour some of your own cash into the project.

“He had a passion for a story that might not have been popular in the market in the first place, but he wanted to tell it, so he did,” Hargett said, adding that it was can be the difference between a bright story and one that still lingers. “In that sense, no, I think filmmakers who find a story they love and want to tell won’t be deterred by the idea that it might not be a box office success.”

Conservatives and Christians lament the lack of content aimed at their respective communities. At that level, “Father Stu” feels like a missed opportunity, at least looking at the bottom line.

Hargett was not convinced.

“In my personal community of fellow believers and conservatives, there is no interest in films that serve our beliefs. What I see are people who just want to see good movies — art films — not tainted by Hollywood Wake Up Agenda,” she said. “I’d rather see movies that have no agenda at all. And I’d love to see them come from Christian filmmakers.”

“Father Stu,” she added, missed what audiences crave in the modern market.

Freelance reporter Josh M. Shepherd, cult and family entertainment officer for The Federalist, doesn’t see those box office numbers as weak compared to current trends. However, the film’s R rating has clearly kept some Christians at home.

“I’ve talked to a lot of people in the Bible Society who don’t recommend ‘Father Stu’ because of the amount of raw language in it,” Shepherd said. The film accepted that assessment in order to document Stuart Long’s transformation from an ordinary man into a revealing man.

Airey agrees.

“Christians tend to watch R movies in private. They don’t want to publicly support a movie with obscene language, etc., even if the story is one that’s theoretically valid for them,” says Airey.

Shepherd noted that “Father Stu” debuted with two hits against it – a mature rating and Gibson’s personal baggage. The “Road Warrior” star’s personal crisis over anti-Semitic protests dates back to 2006.

Some viewers will never forgive Gibson for those moments, though Hollywood has slowly accepted him back into their communities.

Shepherd predicts that the future could be brighter for the film once it leaves theaters.

“There’s no doubt, ‘Father Stu’ will be a real hit when it hits Netflix later this year,” he said.





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