Reviews

I can't believe people are not supporting this film! Audrey Plaza gives a spectacular performance -- one that I was not expecting, having seen her in the b.s. Chucky remake. Anyone in America can relate to this character, her helplessness. Drowning in student debt, unable to be free to make art. Being preyed upon by employers that would hire you as an "intern" (i.e. Free labor), working catering jobs, without union representation. This may be the best indie film I've seen in 3 years. I totally riveted by this movie. This is definitely a movie I will watch over and over. The unfairness of American society will force us all to be criminals.

Yes, Wahlberg deserves a nomination for this. I'm not a practicing Catholic but I was definitely moved. It's more than some "faith based" movie. A lot of good performances. Mel Gibson, Jacki Weaver were excellent. But it's not trendy to recommend a movie like this. That's why the critics really didn't give it fair shake. I think what I liked about Father Stu is that it addresses the nature of suffering. Why do we suffer? That's what makes it profound by the end.

First, I'd like to say that I'm a fan of the director's last two movies. I thought they were important indie films. But here the main problem is the choice of lead actor: Simon Rex, portraying a character who is so transparently manipulative that he could just as well be wearing a neon sign. A little more subtlety on the part of this actor would have been better. There's nothing charismatic about him: he telegraphs his manipulation loud and clear. Are the people in Galveston, Texas THAT stupid that they can't seem to pick up on the A-hole vibes of this man? It's agitating to watch. Anyone with half a brain, after being in his presence for two minutes, would know to keep away. Yet the character of Strawberry is smitten with him, as is the neighbor Lonnie. I don't get it. Worse, I don't believe it. Typically, this director has empathy for his characters, but in this movie they're portrayed as morons straight out of Napoleon Dynamite. It was painful to watch this movie, and I wouldn't be surprised if the director has trouble raising financing for his next film based on this misguided project.