Film Review: FATHER STU (2022): Mark Wahlberg is Terrific in New Drama About Finding One’s Purpose in Life

Father Stu Review

Father Stu (2022) Film Review, a movie written and directed by Rosalind Ross and starring Mark Wahlberg, Mel Gibson, Jacki Weaver, Faith Jefferies, Annet Mahendru, Malcolm McDowell, Teresa Ruiz, Winter Ave Zoli, Cody Fern, Ned Bellamy, Alain Uy, Niko Nicotera, Ronnie Gene Blevins, Annie Lee, Michael Fairman, Danielle K. Golden, Larry Bagby and Carlos Leal.

There’s a reason Mark Wahlberg was attracted to the role of Stuart Long which he plays in his affecting new movie, Father Stu. This is a deeply touching and, occasionally, rather unique spiritual movie about starting over in life and finding the reasons all the things that have gone wrong in one’s life have gone wrong. It’s also about trying to find the purpose of these happenings if they at all exist. It’s an unusual project for Wahlberg who usually sticks to more formulaic genres or story lines. Cast opposite Wahlberg as his dad Bill is, of all people, Mel Gibson and the surprise is that Gibson delivers his most nuanced performance in at least ten years. As for Wahlberg’s attraction to the project, let’s call this film the passion of Marky Mark for it’s clearly a movie that was a labor of love.

Wahlberg isn’t afraid of being vulnerable in many of the parts he plays and that on-screen openness makes us relate to the character he plays in Father Stu in several instances although he isn’t always totally likable. Written and directed with terrific sensitivity by Rosalind Ross, I was pleasantly surprised that I liked Father Stu as much as I did. It can feel awkward at times to watch but there is a reason for that and the film plays out with realistic character development throughout.

Stuart Long was a real person from Montana who started out as a boxer. He got injured, became “over-the-hill,” so to say, and decided to go to L.A. to try to get into acting. Despite his passions, Stuart resigns himself to working at the meat counter in a supermarket as the film’s central premise begins to unfold.

Stuart’s mom, Kathleen, is well played by the always great Jacki Weaver of Silver Linings Playbook. Nobody can do the mother role of a male misfit like Weaver can and her performance here is one of the many highlights of a movie which has a lot on its mind and isn’t afraid to delve deep into difficult subject matter. Kathleen is a mother who seems very true to life as played by the sensational Weaver.

The religious Carmen (well played by Teresa Ruiz) acts as a catalyst for the plot to be set in motion. Stuart wants to get to know her better and will do what needs to be done to get close to her, including getting baptized. When Stuart gets into a motorcycle accident, he has an experience which helps take him on a different path–one that he seemed unlikely to embark on in the film’s earlier stages. Against all odds, Stuart is taken on a new direction in life and discovers a newfound respect for religion.

Malcolm McDowell is absolutely fantastic as Monsignor Kelly who challenges Stu to search deep within himself in regards to Stu’s desire to become a priest. Wahlberg and McDowell are terrific in their scenes together which the performers play with great zest and both actors give multi-faceted, quite solid performances.

The story gets even more complex as Stuart develops a muscle disease which challenges him immensely as a human being and brings him to an understanding of what truly is important in his life. The scenes between Wahlberg and Gibson are some of the most intense and emotional sections of the film. Stuart, having lost his brother, has come to a crossroads in his life and Bill has a past which is revealed that has caused his family tremendous emotional pain. Gibson is forceful and turns in a performance that ranks among his most efficient to date. Wahlberg is equally effective. Both of these actors draw us into their characters’ dilemmas and are in fine form.

Everybody is on a path in life for better or worse and the journey Stuart takes in Father Stu is quite interesting to watch even if some of the scenes seem to occur too quickly in order for the movie to move at an appropriate pace. There’s no shortage of difficult topics from alcohol addiction to personal suffering to deep family drama and it’s to the film’s credit that the movie feels more authentic than not. Wahlberg gained some weight for the role and the transformation his character goes through on screen is effective and believable.

Not everything works perfectly in Father Stu. It sometimes goes back and forth uneasily between comedy and drama and there is some vulgarity that could have been toned down. Still, though, the movie doesn’t shy away from the topics it chooses to pursue.

It’s sometimes easy to believe that the unconventional Stuart has a special quality about him that differentiates himself from the everyday person. Then, there are also times in the film where Stuart seems to be a total screw up. But, by the film’s end, the picture will make you emotionally invested in the material it presents and we grow to understand the central character of the movie. When we see the real Stuart at the picture’s conclusion, it helps us realize the genuine quality of Wahlberg’s performance.

Father Stu could be written off as just another religious picture but it doesn’t deserve to be. There’s a lot going on in the movie and whether the film offers satisfying answers to all the questions it raises or not, it’s a picture that is still both challenging and rewarding. It deserves to find an audience.

Rating: 7/10

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