Marjoe (1972) and The Natural -The Best There Ever Was (2016)

Marjoe (1972) – Marjoe Gortner began life as the “world’s youngest preacher” at age 4.  His parents were part of the Revivalist movement and put their son’s gifts of memorization and on-stage charisma to work early.  As he moved into his teen years, Gortner rebelled and left his life as a preacher behind.  This documentary picks up when he is in his 20s, in need of money, and returns to the revival circuit.  Now he did it as a job, without any deep commitment to the theological side.  It’s a fascinating look behind the scenes at the seamy side of American revivalism.  Marjoe gives complete access, and complete candor, to the film crew.  The release of the documentary ended his career as a preacher.

Gortner was something of a “7-day wonder” in the ’70s when he moved his career to acting.  He was a serviceable, if unspectacular, performer in a wide range of television shows and low budget movies.

What is most interesting here is seeing the roots of modern televangelism.  It shows how easily showmanship can supersede faith.  While there are well-meaning people who believe these preachers (and faithful preachers), there is a serious issue with deeper truths sacrificed on the altar of money and fame.

“Marjoe” won an Oscar for Best Documentary.

Not a topic that will appeal to everyone, but an interesting and well-done film.

Rating – *** Worth A Look

The Natural-The Best There Ever Was (2016) – Made for the 30th anniversary of the Robert Redford baseball classic, director (and WNY native) Bill Cowell takes us into the making of the movie.  The original was shot mostly in Buffalo, NY, and the city gets a huge hug from the stars.  Their memories of shooting in the city, the people, places, and food are all remembered fondly.

Cowell gives a hometown look to the movie-making experience.  Beyond interviews with Redford, Kim Basinger, and Wilford Brimley; we hear from locals who worked as extras in the movie.  Making a movie is nowhere near the glamorous occupation many believe.  Long hours of boredom, working under less than ideal conditions are the least of the issues.

While offering both interesting insight, and a warm and fuzzy hometown feel, the movie suffers from serious quality issues.  While the Redford and Basinger interviews were done with professional lighting and sound, they are the only ones. Most of the rest suffer from some combination of poor lighting/sound.  It feels like he was told he could have ten minutes, right now, and without any time to set up anything.  One interview is strongly backlit (making the subjects face hard to see), while another appears to be slightly out of focus the whole time.  It’s a movie about filmmaking that doesn’t show much understanding of the art itself. Cowell’s tendency to include himself in the shots was annoying and unnecessary.

In the end, it’s not a bad movie, it’s just not a good one either.  If “Marjoe” was a top of the range three-star movie, this one slots in at the very bottom of that range.  Western New Yorkers and movie buffs will enjoy it the most.

Rating – *** Worth A Look