A repulsive yet exceptionally brilliant true story. How is such a combination even possible? After watching the first half of the film, many viewers would find it hard to believe that the second half could make up for all the crap dumped on them during the first hour. In the case of this film, however, that is exactly what happens.

Stu had a difficult childhood and adolescence. As an adult, he devotes years to boxing, which takes a serious toll on his health. Stuart leads a hedonistic life with a tendency to prove his worth. One day, he falls in love with a young Hispanic woman whom he tries to win over. Although Stu is a world away from Christianity, he decides to get baptized. His primary motivation for doing so is his desire to win over the girl of his dreams.

Some time later, a major turning point occurs in his life. He experiences a serious accident and a miraculous recovery. He begins to reevaluate his life up to that point. This eventually leads him to decide to enter a Catholic seminary and become a priest.

The seminary does not exactly welcome him with open arms, and his desire to become a priest seems unattainable. After some obstacles, he is admitted to the seminary, but another hurdle complicates his chances of being ordained as a priest.

After his conversion, Stu didn’t use flowery metaphors, but he knew how to describe things very aptly. Unlike other seminarians, his words hit the mark even with the most desperate souls. This ability stemmed from the experience of a messed-up life he himself had gone through.

People who keep their distance from the Catholic Church and Christian films describe this work, for example, as follows: “I rarely come across films that talk about Christianity and God without coming across as pushy or as if they were trying to lecture me or preach to me. … But this film really managed to do just that.” (silentname)

Biographical / Drama

USA, 2022, 124 min

Crew: Rosalind Ross;

Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Mel Gibson, Teresa Ruiz, Jacki Weaver, Malcolm McDowell, Niko Nicotera, Chiquita Fuller, Bryan Kreutz, Annet Mahendru;

Parents Guide:

Several scenes where men are wearing only boxers. One scene featuring a transgender person waving at Stuart. One suggestion of oral sex. One scene ending with the implication that the encounter led to sexual intercourse. Kissing between lovers. Scenes showing boxing matches, some of which result in serious injuries. A large number of vulgar swear words, almost exclusively in the first half of the film. A punch to a statue of Jesus. Kissing on multiple occasions. Drinking alcohol and smoking on multiple occasions.

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