Father Stu Movie Review : A Catholic's Perspective

My husband and I were intrigued to watch Sony’s Father Stu. We jumped on the chance when we had an opportunity to review the DVD. Thank you, Sony, for providing us with a FREE DVD. This post may contain affiliate links and is sponsored but all opinions are my own.

There were some raving reviews that we had skimmed on Father Stu and usually I would be a little hesitant to watch a movie about our faith because others quickly judge it. I didn’t know how this movie would be portrayed. Since Mark Wahlberg starred in the movie and helped produce it, we both thought he would do a great job at it being strong in his Catholic faith.

Father Stu is based on a true story. The moral of the story is that God answers prayers but just not in the way you would expect him to answer them.

The move takes you through many emotions and periods of faith when you aren’t walking with God, to being angry with God, and finding and understanding his love for us and our love for him.

The movie will make you laugh and make you cry. I found that the actors did an amazing job at acting and portraying the true story of Father Stu.

A couple of times the movie felt like the pace could have picked up, but I think that is because I tend to not get very emotional during movies. I think these parts were when everyone was sniffling and blowing their nose from their tears.

I am very curious to learn what non-Catholics thought of the movie.

The movie is rated R with some sexual innuendos and bad language. We did have to ask our 8-year-old to go upstairs.

About Father Stu

Based on a true story, Father Stu is an unflinchingly honest, funny and ultimately uplifting drama about a lost soul who finds his purpose in a most unexpected place. When an injury ends his amateur boxing career, Stuart Long (Mark Wahlberg) moves to L.A. dreaming of stardom.

Stuart Long (Mark Wahlberg) in Columbia Pictures’ FATHER STU.

While scraping by as a supermarket clerk, he meets Carmen (Teresa Ruiz), a Catholic Sunday school teacher who seems immune to his bad-boy charm. Determined to win her over, the longtime agnostic starts going to church to impress her. But surviving a terrible motorcycle accident leaves him wondering if he can use his second chance to help others find their way, leading to the surprising realization that he is meant to be a Catholic priest. Despite a devastating health crisis and the skepticism of Church officials and his estranged parents (Mel Gibson and Jacki Weaver), Stu pursues his vocation with courage and compassion, inspiring not only those closest to him but countless others along the way.

Written for the screen and directed by Rosalind Ross, and starring Academy Award Nominee® Mark Wahlberg (Best Supporting Actor, The Departed, 2006) as Father Stu, along with Academy Award Winner® Mel Gibson (Best Director, Braveheart, 1995), Academy Award Nominee® Jacki Weaver (Best Supporting Actor, Silver Linings Playbook, 2012) and Teresa Ruiz (Narcos). The film is produced by Mark Wahlberg, Stephen Levinson and Jordon Foss and executive produced by Miky Lee, Colleen Camp, Rosalind Ross, Patrick Peach and Tony Grazia. ased on a true story, Father Stu is an unflinchingly honest, funny and ultimately uplifting drama about a lost soul who finds his purpose in a most unexpected place.

Stuart Long (Mark Wahlberg) in Columbia Pictures’ FATHER STU.

When an injury ends his amateur boxing career, Stuart Long (Mark Wahlberg) moves to L.A. dreaming of stardom. While scraping by as a supermarket clerk, he meets Carmen (Teresa Ruiz), a Catholic Sunday school teacher who seems immune to his bad-boy charm. Determined to win her over, the longtime agnostic starts going to church to impress her. But surviving a terrible motorcycle accident leaves him wondering if he can use his second chance to help others find their way, leading to the surprising realization that he is meant to be a Catholic priest. Despite a devastating health crisis and the skepticism of Church officials and his estranged parents (Mel Gibson and Jacki Weaver), Stu pursues his vocation with courage and compassion, inspiring not only those closest to him but countless others along the way.

Stuart Long (Mark Wahlberg) in Columbia Pictures’ FATHER STU.

Written for the screen and directed by Rosalind Ross, and starring Academy Award Nominee® Mark Wahlberg (Best Supporting Actor, The Departed, 2006) as Father Stu, along with Academy Award Winner® Mel Gibson (Best Director, Braveheart, 1995), Academy Award Nominee® Jacki Weaver (Best Supporting Actor, Silver Linings Playbook, 2012) and Teresa Ruiz (Narcos). The film is produced by Mark Wahlberg, Stephen Levinson and Jordon Foss and executive produced by Miky Lee, Colleen Camp, Rosalind Ross, Patrick Peach and Tony Grazia.