Father Stu Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Boxer gets punched in the head so hard he decides to become a priest and then Mark Wahlberg eats a LOT of bacon.

🍿 Father Stu: Detailed Plot Synopsis

From Boxer to Hollywood Hopeful

Stuart ‘Stu’ Long is introduced as a down-on-his-luck boxer in Montana, struggling with his health and career. After being told to quit boxing, he decides to move to Los Angeles to become an actor. He quickly realizes that Hollywood is a tough place to break into, and he ends up working as a supermarket clerk.

Finding Faith Through Love

While working at the supermarket, Stu meets Carmen, a devout Catholic woman who teaches Sunday school. He is immediately smitten with her, but she’s resistant to his advances due to his rough lifestyle and lack of faith. To win her over, Stu begins attending church, which surprisingly starts him on a path of spiritual discovery.

A Life-Changing Accident and a Calling

After a near-fatal motorcycle accident, Stu experiences a profound religious awakening. He believes he has been given a second chance and feels called to become a Catholic priest. This decision shocks his family and friends, especially Carmen, who had hoped for a different future with him. Despite facing skepticism and challenges, Stu is determined to pursue his newfound vocation.

The Seminary and a Difficult Diagnosis

Stu enters the seminary, where his unconventional background and abrasive personality clash with the traditional environment. He struggles to fit in and faces doubts from his superiors. During this time, he begins to experience debilitating physical symptoms and is eventually diagnosed with inclusion body myositis (IBM), a rare and progressive muscle disease.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Stuart Long (Mark Wahlberg): A boxer-turned-priest who journeys from self-destruction to redemption, inspiring others along the way.
• Bill Long (Mel Gibson): Stuart’s estranged, alcoholic father who struggles with his own past and eventually reconciles with his son.
• Kathleen Long (Jacki Weaver): Stuart’s loving but worried mother, who provides unwavering support throughout his tumultuous life.
• Carmen (Teresa Ruiz): A devout Catholic woman who becomes Stuart’s love interest and influences his spiritual journey.
• Monsignor Kelly (Malcolm McDowell): A skeptical church official who eventually supports Stuart’s unconventional path to priesthood.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Stuart Long: “I’m not gonna die in a damn hospital bed.” – Expresses his determination to live life on his own terms after being forced to quit boxing.
• Stuart Long: “I just want a chance to matter.” – Reveals his desire for purpose and significance after drifting through life.
• Stuart Long: “Maybe I can use my second chance to help others find their way.” – Contemplates his purpose after surviving a near fatal motorcycle accident.
• Stuart Long: “The struggles of this disease helped me, and help others, to learn the way that we should have been living all along.” – Reflects on the positive impact of his suffering, recorded in archive footage.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $4,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $21,090,677
• Worldwide Gross: $21,798,260

💥 Father Stu Reviews

Personal Review

I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this, but ‘Father Stu’ really surprised me. Mark Wahlberg’s transformation, both physically and emotionally, was incredible to watch. The scene where he breaks down in church after his diagnosis really hit me hard, and I found myself tearing up. It’s a powerful story about finding faith and purpose, even when life throws you the toughest curveballs.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of inspirational biopics”
  • “Viewers interested in stories of redemption and faith”
  • “Those who appreciate Mark Wahlberg and Mel Gibson’s acting”
  • “People seeking movies with strong messages about overcoming adversity”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Depiction of illness and suffering”
  • “Brief scenes of violence”

Professional Reviews

• IndieWire: “Despite Wahlberg’s commitment, ‘Father Stu’ struggles with pacing and depth, offering a surface-level exploration of faith and redemption. The script feels rushed, leaving the audience wanting more nuanced character development and a more profound spiritual journey.
• RogerEbert.com: “While ‘Father Stu’ has its moments of genuine emotion, it often veers into predictable territory. The performances are solid, especially Wahlberg’s, but the film lacks a distinctive voice and ultimately feels like a missed opportunity to explore a complex and compelling life.
• Variety: “The film is a good movie to watch, Mark Wahlberg really shows how dedicated he was to this film, his performance really shows. I hope this film will help find faith in GOD.

Audience Reactions

Viewers praised Mark Wahlberg’s dedicated performance and physical transformation.: The movie’s raw and honest portrayal of faith resonated with many, particularly those who appreciated its lack of preachy sentiments.

Many moviegoers said that this film is very funnier than the ads tell.: The structure itself isn’t anything new. And if you’ve seen a redemption story, you know what follows. But Mark Wahlberg does an exceptional job getting into the attitude of Stu.

Overall Consensus: Despite mixed reviews, ‘Father Stu’ has resonated with audiences seeking an inspiring and relatable story of faith, redemption, and perseverance, with Mark Wahlberg’s performance being a major highlight.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Mark Wahlberg was deeply committed to this project, so much so that he self-funded it after several studios passed on the film.”
• “Mark Wahlberg gained approximately 30 pounds for the role, initially consuming 7,000 calories a day, later increasing to 11,000 calories.”
• “Rosalind Ross, Mel Gibson’s partner, made her directorial debut with ‘Father Stu,’ also writing the screenplay.”

🖥️ How to Watch Father Stu?

Father Stu is available for rent or purchase on various platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local cable provider for on-demand options. Physical copies (DVDs and Blu-rays) are also available for purchase from major retailers like Amazon and Best Buy.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Father Stu, you might like these similar films:

• Raging Bull (1980): Shares the theme of a boxer’s self-destructive path and eventual redemption.
• The Passion of the Christ (2004): Explores faith and suffering; inspired Wahlberg to self-fund ‘Father Stu’.
• Doubt (2008): Features a Catholic priest facing moral questions and challenges within the Church.
• Warrior (2011): Explores themes of family reconciliation and personal redemption through the lens of fighting.

🛒 Father Stu Related Products

• Father Stu [Blu-ray]: Own the inspiring true story of Father Stu on Blu-ray and relive his incredible journey. Includes bonus features and deleted scenes for a deeper dive into the making of the film.
• Mark Wahlberg Signed ‘Father Stu’ Movie Poster: A limited-edition movie poster autographed by Mark Wahlberg. A valuable collector’s item for fans of the film and the actor.
• Father Stu: The Novel: Delve deeper into the life of Father Stuart Long with the authorized novelization of his story. Experience the events of the film in rich detail, with added insights into his thoughts and motivations.
• Father Stu T-Shirt: Show your support for Father Stu with this stylish t-shirt featuring iconic imagery from the movie. Available in various sizes and colors.

🎧 Soundtrack

Father Stu features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Too Much Monkey Business” – performed by Chuck Berry
• “Amazing Grace” – performed by Various Artists
• “Hound Dog” – performed by Elvis Presley

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Fr. Mike and Mark Wahlberg on Father Stu | What “Picking Up Your Cross” Looks Like

Ever wonder what Mark Wahlberg really thought about playing Father Stu? Fr. Mike gets deep with him about the movie’s message, and it’s super interesting to hear Wahlberg’s perspective!

Father Stu: Montana Priest and Knight of Columbus

Want to know the real story behind ‘Father Stu’? This video features interviews with people who actually knew him, and it gives you a much better idea of the impact he had on their lives.

Mark Wahlberg and Bishop Barron Discuss “Father Stu”

Bishop Barron and Mark Wahlberg dig deep into the spiritual themes of ‘Father Stu’. It’s fascinating to hear them discuss the real-life story and connect it to broader ideas about faith and redemption!

Mark Wahlberg FAT GAIN

Can you believe Mark Wahlberg gained 30lbs for this movie?! Find out more about his diet, what he ate, and what it took to put on that weight!

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