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The Gospel

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The Gospel (2005)

32%
50%
54%
N/A
N/A
N/A
32 %
Reviews Counted: 34 Fresh: 11  Rotten:23 Average Rating: 5.1/10
 
Consensus: While it features outstanding musical numbers, The Gospel reduces a series of worthy themes -- faith, family, forgiveness -- to soapy, banal clichés.
 

How does the Tomatometer work?

The Tomatometer measures the percentage of positive reviews from Approved Tomatometer Critics for a certain movie.[-]

Runtime: 1 hr 51 mins

Synopsis: R&B star David Taylor's (Boris Kodjoe) life at the top of the entertainment industry screeches to a halt when a heavy dose of reality hits him hard in director Rod Hardy's THE GOSPEL. While enjoying the familiar trappings that success brings, David suddenly discovers that his estranged... R&B star David Taylor's (Boris Kodjoe) life at the top of the entertainment industry screeches to a halt when a heavy dose of reality hits him hard in director Rod Hardy's THE GOSPEL. While enjoying the familiar trappings that success brings, David suddenly discovers that his estranged father, Pastor Fred Taylor (Clifton Powell), has fallen ill. Father and son haven't spoken since David's mother died, but when he hears the news, the singing star cancels a tour and returns to Atlanta to see his dad. After Fred dies, it's assumed that David's old school friend, Frank (Idris Elba), who remained faithful to the church while his buddy sought fame and fortune, will take over as pastor. But in a surprising move, it transpires that Fred's last wish was for his son to assume the role. This causes acrimony among members of the church, who are angry that such a highly coveted position is being handed to someone who has lived a life of sin. David responds by bringing some Hollywood glitz to the church, and assumes the position with a vigor that rocks the community. But on rediscovering his faith, and possibly finding true love with choir singer Rain (AMERICAN IDOL's Tamyra Gray), it seems he may turn his back on his old ways for good, much to the consternation of his manager, Wesley (Omar Gooding). Coupling soaring gospel songs with an exploratory look at the way African-American churches operate, THE GOSPEL is both uplifting and educational. Singers such as Yolanda Adams, Fred Hammond, and Gray herself are given plenty of screen time to do their thing, with director Hardy getting the balance of music and plot just right throughout. [More]

Genre: Dramas

Starring: Clifton Powell, Boris Kodjoe, Nona Gaye, Idris Elba, Tamyra Gray

Director: Rob Hardy
Screenwriter: Rob Hardy, William Packer

DVD Info

Release:

Dec 2, 2008

[DVD Details]

DVD Features:

  • Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.85

Audio:

  • Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
  • Subtitles - English - Optional
  • Subtitles - English - Closed Captioned

Reviews

 
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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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Ratings Image
2/4

Click to read the article

Full Review | comment Comment
07/14/07
Joe Lozito
Big Picture Big Sound
Ratings Image
3.5/4

While The Gospel's faith-laced dialogue might annoy non-Christians, the plot mostly explores themes of a universal nature. Recommended to members of any faith for the stirring, onscreen performance of Grammy-winner Yolanda Adams.

Full Review | comment Comment
05/25/07
Kam Williams
Princeton Town Topics
Ratings Image
3.5/4

A more-than-fine movie -- the kind that Christians who like to complain about Hollywood should support, and the kind that may appeal to people who aren't interested in church.

Full Review | comment Comment
11/01/06
LaTonya Taylor
Christianity Today
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review | comment Comment
05/12/06
Jim Lane
Sacramento News & Review
Ratings Image
C

Hallelujah for the hymns! They save "The Gospel."

Full Review | comment Comment
02/03/06
Christopher Smith
Bangor Daily News (Maine)
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review | comment Comment
01/14/06
Jam! Movies
N/R

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Full Review | comment Comment
12/10/05
Deseret News, Salt Lake City
Ratings Image
2/5

The gospel performances recommend the movie most highly; otherwise it’s not due for much praise.

Full Review | comment Comment
10/22/05
Marrit Ingman
Austin Chronicle
Ratings Image
3/4

An appealing and entertaining package that makes up for whatever it lacks in perfectly polished sheen in exuberance and passion for its subject and message.

Full Review | comment Comment
10/16/05
Michael Dequina
Mr. Brown's Movies
Ratings Image
C

When the music isn't pounding in sanctified syncopation, the look and the dialogue of The Gospel are a lot like what you might see and hear on daytime TV.

Full Review | comment Comment
10/15/05
Bob Townsend
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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2.5/4

Really, a musical would have been a much better idea.

Full Review | comment Comment
10/15/05
Kim Morgan
Reel.com
Ratings Image
N/A

The soapy, cliche-ridden script aside, the picture is a technical mess of awkward framing and choppy editing that puts a dispiriting damper on all that uplifting music.

Full Review | comment Comment
10/15/05
Michael Rechtshaffen
Hollywood Reporter
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
N/A

The Gospel loses focus, getting every bit as lost as its characters.

Full Review | comment Comment
10/14/05
John Wirt
Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA)
Ratings Image
2/4

The lord may work in mysterious ways, but they shouldn’t include bad acting and hack direction.

Full Review | comment Comment
10/13/05
Jeffrey Westhoff
Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)
Ratings Image
3.5/4

Here’s a dramatic version of a familiar story with a contemporary spin and fantastic music.

Full Review | comment Comment
10/13/05
Linda Cook
KWQC-TV (Iowa)
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2/5

The whole thing smacks of an overpopulated 'daytime drama.'

Full Review | comment Comment
10/12/05
Ken Hanke
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
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B-

It's a rich portrait of a church in transition.

Full Review | comment Comment
10/12/05
Scott Brown
Entertainment Weekly
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N/A

I loved the music and I admired its good intentions. But there are just too many sub-professional touches for me to recommend the film.

Full Review | comment Comment
10/11/05
Richard Roeper
Ebert & Roeper
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B

While the script and editing are flawed, The Gospel is still an evening’s entertainment with heart and soul.

Full Review | comment Comment
10/10/05
Wilson Morales
BlackFilm.com
Ratings Image
N/A

"Wesley say and it shall be," pronounces Wesley (Omar Gooding) in The Gospel.

Full Review | comment Comment
10/09/05
Cynthia Fuchs
PopMatters
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