Steve Martin is Jonas Nightingale, a fraudulent faith healer with an entourage and several coaches, where he travels across America to different places where he sets up tent meetings to fleece the locals of their funds. One coach breaks down, stranding them in a small town, and Jonas decides to set up his act there while waiting for the coach to be repaired. He does so, attracts a large crowd, and arouses the suspicion of the local sheriff, who investigates.
A number of problems occur with the movie, though. The locals are all too willing to be taken in by Jonas, the operation is overly sophisticated with computers and everything, Jonas readily admits to the suspicious sheriff that he is only a fraud, but worst of all, Steve Martin just doesn't fit the role of a highly charismatic con man.
Some reviewers were upset by the "Hollywood ending", and said it would be have been better if Jonas had sickened of crime. I find the "Hollywood ending" more credible, as most criminals, especially when riding high, do not voluntarily give up their life of crime, and those who do find a cause to push them to give it up. What more appropriate way than what happens in the movie?
A number of problems occur with the movie, though. The locals are all too willing to be taken in by Jonas, the operation is overly sophisticated with computers and everything, Jonas readily admits to the suspicious sheriff that he is only a fraud, but worst of all, Steve Martin just doesn't fit the role of a highly charismatic con man.
Some reviewers were upset by the "Hollywood ending", and said it would be have been better if Jonas had sickened of crime. I find the "Hollywood ending" more credible, as most criminals, especially when riding high, do not voluntarily give up their life of crime, and those who do find a cause to push them to give it up. What more appropriate way than what happens in the movie?