farce4u
Christian film makers still haven't found their niche in today's movie market, and I don't they will for some time. Yet Mercy Streets seems to have succeeded where others have fallen short. Despite a relatively outrageous plot and some hokey acting, the film boasts some fine direction by Gunn, a good cast (Eric Roberts, David White), and an intriguing storyline. It's squeaky clean as far as language, yet it doesn't detract from the script. There's no book somewhere that says that there must be foul language for characters to express angst, hatred, etc. This movie has a lot going for it, and it's a step closer to a piece of great film making. 8 / 10.
Verbal-17
This one really surprised me. Most of Roberts' recent movies haven't been, shall we say, up to par, but occasionally he makes a really good one, like La Cucaracha, It's My Party, or Strange Frequency. This is definitely one of his better movies. Here he isn't actually the star, but he steals the show as the hero's boss, and the movie is really funny, and the characters are so interesting and well-drawn that it holds your interest throughout. You really care about these people, and you want to see what happens to them. It's a story about redemption, about how unexpected events cause two estranged brothers, one a criminal and one a priest, to live in each other's lives and learn to forgive each other. Stacy Keach also shows up, in a cameo that lasts only a few minutes (but what a hilarious few minutes they are). Give this one a look- you won't be disappointed.
cmspill
I was an extra in this movie, and was quite surprised when I finally saw the finished product. It was much better than I expected. The whole twin/mistaken identity has been done time and time again, but this movie pulls it off nicely. It's not a bible story, nor another second coming flick... it's just a good movie, with some good morals. One interesting thing that I didn't even notice until a friend pointed it out, is that there is no profanity in the film. The worst phrases used are "you suck" and "go to hell". The pg-13 rating is due to violence. I highly recommend this movie, especially to people who are tired of the typical religious flick.
FINEFILM
I got a sneak preview of this film and was blown away!
Whenever they do a film about brothers or twins they're treading on familiar ground if not thin ice, but director Jon Gun pulls it off in a delightfully surprising fashion. The script mixes elements of a buddy picture, mentor/student film and caper flick with smart music choices from artists like Moby and Sixpence None The Richer.Eric Roberts is so great as the bad guy, you love him. Stacy Keach has a nice cameo and newcomer David White plays the dual leads with an easy panache. He's gonna be a star!Definitely check it out if you liked Reservoir Dogs, Boondock Saints and The Sting.
AD
