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The Gospel

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The Gospel (2005)

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Reviews Counted:36

Fresh:12

Rotten:24

Average Rating:5/10

Consensus: While it features outstanding musical numbers, The Gospel reduces a series of worthy themes -- faith, family, forgiveness -- to soapy, banal clichés.

Runtime: 1 hr 51 mins

Genre: Dramas

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... 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]

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

Starring: Clifton Powell, Boris Kodjoe, Idris Elba, Tamyra Gray, Omar Gooding, Nona Gaye, Fred Hammond

Director: Rob Hardy

Director: Rob Hardy
Screenwriter: Rob Hardy, William Packer
Studio: Screen Gems

[See More Credits]

Reviews for The Gospel

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

"The Gospel" is a cliché-filled movie with low production values that says nothing significant about gospel music or its core values.

Full Review Source: ColeSmithey.com | comment Comment
04/19/09
Cole Smithey
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
04/01/09
Robert Koehler
Robert Koehler
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Big Picture Big Sound | comment Comment
07/14/07
Joe Lozito
Joe Lozito
Big Picture Big Sound

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 Source: Princeton Town Topics | comment Comment
05/25/07
Kam Williams
Kam Williams
Princeton Town Topics

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 Source: Christianity Today | comment Comment
11/01/06
LaTonya Taylor
LaTonya Taylor
Christianity Today

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Sacramento News & Review | comment Comment
05/12/06
Jim Lane
Jim Lane
Sacramento News & Review

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

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

Click to read the article

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

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment Comment
12/10/05
Deseret News, Salt Lake City

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

Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
10/22/05
Marrit Ingman
Marrit Ingman
Austin Chronicle

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 Source: TheMovieReport.com | comment Comment
10/16/05
Michael Dequina
Michael Dequina
TheMovieReport.com
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Boston Phoenix | comment Comment
10/15/05
Boston Phoenix

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 Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution | comment Comment
10/15/05
Bob Townsend
Bob Townsend
Atlanta Journal-Constitution

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

Full Review Source: Reel.com | comment Comment
10/15/05
Kim Morgan
Kim Morgan
Reel.com

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 Source: Hollywood Reporter | comment Comment
10/15/05
Michael Rechtshaffen
Michael Rechtshaffen
Hollywood Reporter
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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

Full Review Source: Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA) | comment Comment
10/14/05
John Wirt
John Wirt
Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA)

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

Full Review Source: Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL) | comment Comment
10/13/05
Jeffrey Westhoff
Jeffrey Westhoff
Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)

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

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

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

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

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

Full Review Source: Entertainment Weekly | comment Comment
10/12/05
Scott Brown
Scott Brown
Entertainment Weekly
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 >> >|
all

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September 12, 2005: A preview of Rob Hardy's film, starring Boris Kodjoe, Idris Elba, Nona Gaye, Clifton Powell, and Tamyra Gray. Opens in new window
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