A lot of faith-based movies are like Limburger cheese: It's okay if that's your taste, but please don't stick it in my face.
The basic story in a nutshell: two brothers are separated at birth. One is raised by his real parents and becomes Elvis in everything but the name (the actor playing the twin is/was an Elvis-impersonator), the other get's raised by a knuckle-dragging preacher (Liotta). And then there is the question of "faith". Do I really have to say more than that?
There are some bible-films that can appeal to the general public, who don't particularly care about the preaching. Some, if not most, are historical films like "Quo Vadis", but it would seem that "themed" films in recent days have become a little more desperate to bring their point across. It's a difference like going to a sermon (and being able to leave, if you so choose) and having a bunch of Jehovah's witnesses molesting you at your doorstep. Talking about what should really make or break a film (the acting), well, like I said, the main-character(s) is an Elvis-impersonator. It has been a long, long time since Ashley Judd has acted in something worthwhile (this too shows) and Ray Liotta tries to play it with a brave face (he will forever be loved with his portrayal of Mafioso; other roles (see "Dungeon Siege"), hmm, often not so great. In other words: the whole deal reeks of schmaltz and something an audience from small, rural hamlets might enjoy on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
You may have noticed some of the more positive reviews below, some almost hysterically bestowing ten points (hell, eleven if only they could), and you might have gotten the impression that those people were typing with one hand while shaking the 'good book' with the other, possibly mumbling in tongues. Yes, it is a symptom of many bible-pushing-flicks. You may have also noticed stories of "grown men weeping like children" while watching this flick (generally at bible-conventions). That's called hysteria or religiously motivated frenzy, and has little to nothing to do with good filmmaking. Often the wish is the father of the thought, but remains wishful thinking. Just like "The Identical".
3/10
The basic story in a nutshell: two brothers are separated at birth. One is raised by his real parents and becomes Elvis in everything but the name (the actor playing the twin is/was an Elvis-impersonator), the other get's raised by a knuckle-dragging preacher (Liotta). And then there is the question of "faith". Do I really have to say more than that?
There are some bible-films that can appeal to the general public, who don't particularly care about the preaching. Some, if not most, are historical films like "Quo Vadis", but it would seem that "themed" films in recent days have become a little more desperate to bring their point across. It's a difference like going to a sermon (and being able to leave, if you so choose) and having a bunch of Jehovah's witnesses molesting you at your doorstep. Talking about what should really make or break a film (the acting), well, like I said, the main-character(s) is an Elvis-impersonator. It has been a long, long time since Ashley Judd has acted in something worthwhile (this too shows) and Ray Liotta tries to play it with a brave face (he will forever be loved with his portrayal of Mafioso; other roles (see "Dungeon Siege"), hmm, often not so great. In other words: the whole deal reeks of schmaltz and something an audience from small, rural hamlets might enjoy on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
You may have noticed some of the more positive reviews below, some almost hysterically bestowing ten points (hell, eleven if only they could), and you might have gotten the impression that those people were typing with one hand while shaking the 'good book' with the other, possibly mumbling in tongues. Yes, it is a symptom of many bible-pushing-flicks. You may have also noticed stories of "grown men weeping like children" while watching this flick (generally at bible-conventions). That's called hysteria or religiously motivated frenzy, and has little to nothing to do with good filmmaking. Often the wish is the father of the thought, but remains wishful thinking. Just like "The Identical".
3/10