Dorathen
Better Late Then Never
Kaydan Christian
A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.
Allison Davies
The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.
tieman64
"It's easier to fool people than to convince them that they've been fooled." - Mark Twain Directed by Richard Pearce, "Leap of Faith" stars Steve Martin as Jonas Nightengale, a con-man who masquerades as a Christian faith healer. When his tour-bus breaks down in small-town Kansas, Jonas sets about scamming the drought afflicted locals."I'll walk if it's God's will," a crippled kid tells Jonas. Jonas mocks the boy's faith – the kid's just another sucker - until what may or may not be a miracle jolts Jonas out of his cynicism. Designed to support the beliefs of believers, atheists and agnostics, this miraculous climax is less an affirmation of Gods than a call for compassion, hope and community over predation and despair.Though miscast, "Leap of Faith" remains one of Steve Martin's better films. Interesting and atmospheric, it's at its best when revealing the methods used by revivalists and faith healers to con congregations. Elsewhere Pearce offers wonderful location photography, his film adorned with open skies, rustic diners and star-lit circus tents. Co-starring Debra Winger and Liam Neeson.7.9/10 – For this material handled better, see "Elmer Gantry" (1960). See too "Red Lights" (2010).
baalsaak
All good comedians, are good drama actors.It'd been a while since I saw this movie, and I had the chance to get it, yesterday. For starters, Steve Martin was great (as he usually does), so the supporting cast.One of the many reasons I love this movie is that it show us, graciously, a reality that many people couldn't or wouldn't accept (One of the reasons , I think, its low rate).Do not let fanaticism cloud your judgment.Nevertheless, if you like good stories with a nice in-message, or if you're just a fan of Mr. Martin, you can't miss this one.
TxMike
Steve Martin is Jonas Nightengale, traveling evangelist with a large enough troupe that it takes two buses and two big trucks to haul everything around. We learn that it takes $3500 daily to meet expenses. The story here starts when one of the trucks begins to smoke and they find they are trapped in this small Kansas community for 4 days. So, they make the best of it, set up the revival tenet and hustle attendance. he whole movie takes place here. The local sheriff (Liam Neeson, in a peculiar casting choice) is naturally skeptical and does his best to convince the people that Jonas is really a crook. He knows money is scarce, crops are in danger for lack of rain, and he wants Jonas to go away.Lolita Davidovich is Marva, local waitress Win a crippled younger brother Boyd (Lukas Haas). A different preacher had told Boyd that he wasn't "healed" because he lacked faith. So, even as Jonas is taking a curious attraction to Marva, she too is distrustful and only wants Jonas to go away.But Jonas is persistent, and he is very good at his preacher act.SPOILERS FOLLOW. Jonas (not his real name) was a con man through and through, much like Elmer Gantry was. He doesn't believe in miracles or the power of prayer, just sees his traveling revivals as a good way to make money and enjoy a type of good life. But he is set up for a conversion as Boyd actually IS healed at one of Jonas' services. Fully realizing what happened, Jonas hit the road, as it starts to rain!Jonas will become a different man. The movie is about Jonas' conversion.Debra Winger is good as Jane Larson, who stays in the bus during services and via TV monitors and an earpiece in Jonas's ear, directs him to those having expressed various needs. In the end she stays with the sheriff.
rcmoorejr
There is much that works well in this movie - Steve Martin is playing a con man, a much fuller and better executed one than the 2nd banana he played in 'Dirty Rotten Scoundrels', which he dumbed down with slapstick. Debra Winger is excellent as his partner in running a road ministry built on sleight of hand and working the audience like a carnival. The location shooting works for it, and the supporting cast (Meat Loaf, Philip Seymour Hoffman, MC Ganey in bleached white hair?)is mostly very good, and if you like gospel you'll enjoy this. Music trivia: listen for the song on the radio in the pickup in the first scene. What doesn't work? It ends a scene too early - Steve Martin has suddenly had his cynicism upended and the film just ends. Liam Neeson can barely keep the brogue out of his role as a Texas Sheriff (so many others could have carried this role, why him?). There is certainly a statement about faith at the end of this movie, to wit: faith finds a way even if it has to work through a con man. The payback scene, unfortunately, is very predictable: it rains. For all the dreck Steve Martin has cranked out, this one will pay you back.
