Independent
filmmaker Richard Dutcher labored for three
years to raise the $300,000 budget to produce
"God's Army," a film that centers on the life of
Mormon missionaries, their experiences,
struggles, personal lives and life journeys.
Dutcher, whose first film, the romantic comedy
"Girl Crazy" managed to break even after being
sold to HBO, studied film at Brigham Young
University and has become one of the leading
voices in religious-based films. Most often,
Mormonism is at the core of, or a central focus
of Dutcher's films.
"God's Army" was the second of Dutcher's films,
and after the three year effort to raise the
funds necessary to make the film Dutcher found
tremendous success and praise in a film that
many view as the most honest portrait of LDS
missionaries on film (SIDE NOTE: Just how many
portraits of LDS missionaries are on film is
unknown). The film ended up with box office
receipts of over $2.5 million (admittedly, MUCH
of it in Utah) and another $2.5 million in DVD
sales/rentals.
The key to the film's success is that it's less
preachy than what is often associated with
religious films. These missionaries are seen as
mind-bogglingly human with real feelings, needs,
wants, and even desires. They struggle with real
life issues, including one with Cancer. It is,
in fact, this struggle with Cancer that may be
one of the film's false notes. In speaking with
other Mormons, many have said that a missionary
with Cancer such as this person had would never
be left in the field...even if that's what they
truly wanted. True? Who's to say, but I still
love the human touch of these scenes.
The film stars Matthew Brown as Elder Allen, a
young missionary trying to adjust and deal with
life and his own realities. Brown has appeared
in just two films, this one and Dutcher's third
film, "Brigham City," a somewhat controversial
LDS based film that actually deals with a
sheriff trying to track down a serial killer.
Brown gives a solid performance as Elder Allen,
a young and confused man who grows to be
inspired by Elder Dalton (played by Dutcher
himself). It is Dalton who is dealing with
Cancer, and Dutcher does a wonderful job of
portraying Dalton's convictions and yet almost
unreasonable desire to maintain life as a
missionary.
The entire supporting cast of unknowns provide
perfect companionship to the film's script, and
production design is basic but effective.
Dutcher's direction is laid back, and he
balances the scenes well with good pacing and a
solid mix of lighter and dramatic moments.
"God's Army" got me hooked on Mormon cinema...to
be honest, if you'd told me that I'd embrace
this particular cinematic path I'd have laughed.
Yet, because of Dutcher, it seems as other
Mormons are now realizing that film can be a
positive tool, an outreach and a way of making
Mormonism seem less cultish to the general
population. In "God's Army," we have real
people...a "greenie" (new missionary) whose
father is an imprisoned sexual predator...the
aforementioned missionary with Cancer...and a
missionary who is struggling with doubts while
still trying to ease the minds of others with
doubts.
People are often surprised I'm a minister...I'm
a liberal, diversity embracing, free loving
Jesus freak who believes that most of organized
religion fails miserably at living out anything
close to love. "God's Army" warms my heart
because it celebrates the humanity within each
of us even as we are trying to live and love and
learn. It embraces us in our strengths and
weaknesses, but still holds us accountable for
living right and compassionately and with our
eyes on the prize (whatever we, as individuals,
believe that prize to be).
Richard Dutcher's vision of cinema that
matters...cinema that is spiritually centered
yet deeply human comes powerfully to life in
"God's Army." Possessed with authenticity,
honesty and tremendous heart "God's Army" is a
film I highly recommend.
© Written by
Richard Propes
TC Candler's Comment
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Jacob
Hall's Comment
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