MACHINE GUN PREACHER (2011)

Directed By: Marc Forester 
Written By: Jason Keller 
Cinematography By: Roberto Schaefer 
Editor: Matt Cheese 

 Cast: Gerard Butler, Kathy Baker, Michelle Monaghan, Michael Shannon, Madeline Carroll, Souleymane Sy Savane

In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, addicted gang biker Sam Childs is released from prison and learns that his wife Lynn is no longer a stripper but has converted to Christianity. One night, Sam and his best friend Donnie give a ride to a hitchhiker who threatens Donnie with a pocketknife; however Sam reacts and turns the tables on the stranger. Sam is affected by the incident and is convinced by Lynn and his mother Daisy to join their church, and he is baptized. Sam finds a straight job in construction. When he meets a preacher from Africa, he decides to visit the continent. Sam travels to Northern Uganda and South Sudan many times and builds an orphanage for the victims of the cruel Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). Further, he fights whenever necessary and becomes a legend known as The Machine Gun Preacher.

This film feels artificial, it all feels like the production that it is. None of the sentiments feel really invested. It feels like all the heart it tries to display is manufactured. T doesn't help that every step of the film feels like a paint by numbers script that follows it's own basic rules of audience emotional manipulation.

Vera Farminga was the first choice to play Lyn, but dropped out due to pregnancy. She was replaced by Michelle Monaghan.

Based on a true story that we see the actual person the film I based on at the end and while his story is Interesting. I think it might have been more exciting and breathtaking on the page rather then the screen. As the film feels like a story someone could dream up, luckily it just happens to be true.

The film seems to want to send a message but never makes it clear as the lead fights fire with fire for a good cause then at times he seems just as bad as those he is fighting against taking a particular glee In it. Then the film shows him realizing it's wrong but still kind of goes about it anyway only with a clear conscience.

This film feels like a racy TV movie with a bigger budget to make a feature. At time it almost makes you feel like the film is talking down to you with it's simpleness.

Gerard butler plays the lead role with a deep passion for a film that it feels his efforts are wasted on. It does fit more onto his action movie roles, though when it comes to the drama he feels basic, bit at least he is trying.

The film goes through in it's first act what a regular movie would in it's first two. As this film is stuffed with so much story and situations that it feels overloaded as the film keeps going through more and more Drama that seems to pile up even after safe conclusions, but keeps a thorough line that when a supporting character dies. It's hard to feel anything as the film tells us we should and we understand that characters relationship to the lead, but has been absent for so many long stretches not any real character development done that while their demise is sad it really adds nothing nor affects the film except giving the lead harasser guilt and more angst.

The real Sam Childers, whom the story is based on, shows screenings of a heavily-edited version of the film in churches around the world. The proceeds of which are used to support his ongoing work in South Sudan.

Also it is one of these films that while telling it's true story seems to want to paint it's Caucasian character as almost a savior and hero to the savages. Or the great white hope that we see in many films that either teach, save or bring humanity to what the films portray as lesser or different cultures usually minority ones that seem without hope or need guidance and maybe along the way teach the Caucasian something.

I can't say the film is horrible as it is competently filmed and made.

Wait for television.

 Grade: D +