The Gospel of Lou (2003) Poster

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1/10
Bret Carr is a sad, sad, s-s-s-sad man.
ihatebretcarr26 March 2005
I went to go see this at the Esquire Theatre in Cincy, OH, and - I hate my life now.

Christopher Reeves would have been a more believable boxer.

As a film it was painful, but seeing Bret Carr in person was to see desperation at its pinnacle.

My favorite part of the movie was seeing BC slammed in the face with what appeared to be a "C" battery. The jury is still out on this. It was from a dildo and it was in slow-mo. Yep.

"Shoot the left side of the face only...people become famous by demanding things!" - Bret Carr B. Carr donned a Chicken Suit for a bit of reverse psychology, roaming the streets of Clifton bashing his own film. He should. This is correct to bash the film.

My soul felt chafed after this movie.

Bret Carr is not charismatic enough to be the leader of a cult, or smart enough for that matter. That is the feeling you get from the What the Bleepesque trickle of brainwashed, impressionable neo-yuppies that came to see this Bret Carr Piece of Work.

It's an emotionally draining experience just thinking about writing about this film, so goodbye.

-Anonymous
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2/10
Far Fetched
mrcjbyrd27 March 2005
Warning: Spoilers
The Gospel of Lou was a major disappointment for me. I had received an E-Mail from the theater showing it that it was a great and inspirational movie. It was neither great nor inspirational. The cinematography was pretty iffy with the whole movie. A lot the scenes were flash backs that were done in a way that couldn't tell at times what they were about. The voices were often distorted for no reason. Also many of the people in the movie were far fetched. The relationship he has with his ex & son is never made clear. Also the whole movie has most him one way, and then all of a sudden BAM, he is cured and inspiring people. The whole movie seems to show that boxing is one of the things that is bad in his life, making him live his life the way that he is living it, but when he changes, he doesn't leave boxing, he teaches others how to box. Thumbs Down.
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1/10
absolutely terrible
non-4121 June 2010
This is the most pretentious piece of crap from a (supposed) director I have ever seen. Every review that is positive not only is over the top with ranting and raving of this piece of crap film, but every user that made the review signed up just to write their one review. They never used their account for anything else ever again. While all the negative (real actual) reviews are from users that have posted hundreds of times and are actually active. Don't believe me? Go check it out for yourself. Suspicious?? Also, every positive review has at most 1-2 out of 10-12 of the "people found this review useful", while the negative reviews are all 10 out of 11. This director/actor is a complete narcissistic jackass. I guarantee the only reason it is rated higher than a 1 is because this douche signed up for a dozen accounts and rated it a 10. Notice how it only took 10 accounts to get it above a 1? That's because only about 50 people even took the time to vote on this piece of trash. Also, the positive reviews are riddled with spelling and grammatical errors which furthers the evidence of this moron's retardation. I hope his mother's dog and servants get to keep all of his money so he can't make anymore of this horrendous films. I wish it were possible materialize the concept of this film and spit on it. He actually thinks this is good, one of his self-reviews says it's a "thinking mans film", you have got to be kidding me. This man is such a freaking moron, I'd be surprised if he doesn't need help tying his own shoes.
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8/10
Bold, original and Woody Allen-esquire
moviestar-79 May 2005
This is unlike any other movie, the closest thing I can compare it to is a Woody Allen film... But where as Woody Allen is constantly fathoming human foibles Bret Carr appears to be trying to figure out a way to get to grips with that one crippling insecurity that tends to define us for better or worse. In the Case of Lou, it is the root cause of his stuttering, which can be traced back to a singular child hood trauma that is revealed through flash backs.

There are so many strangely neurotic people in the world and I believe they all deserve a chance for redemption, although diversity of human character is after all what makes the world such an intriguing place, so maybe we shouldn't fix our neurosis anymore than we should fix our noses or Breasts.

This is an indie film shot on a long shoestring, but the production values are tremendous as is the scope of the film. I feel like its a quirky Gem for the self-help market. I really look forward to seeing what this filmmaker does next, i could imagine a career along the lines of Woody Allen or Albert Brooks, although usually when a guy like this breaks through, he goes off and makes " X MEN" and his humble quirky origins are soon forgotten or are they.... X Men is aout a bunch of freaks if i remember correctly :)
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1/10
The Gospel of Crap
charlesraygor17 December 2019
But, than again, "Lou" is in the title. Do yourself a favor and avoid is this horrible waste of time. I believe it would be classified as "cruel and unusual punishment" if prisoners were forced to watch it.
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8/10
A thinking man's film. Daring and original.
jvtebay11 May 2005
This is a unique and bold film. It's energetic, with highly developed characters. Very good performances.

I love directors who are not afraid to ask the audience to think...

Bret Carr dares to look inward, ask questions, and dig underneath the surface. By the nature of the film, it practically demands that the viewer look inward as well. It can take some courage to do this. I can see how some close-minded people might find this quite disturbing. However, I found it thought-provoking, much more than just entertainment.

Bret Carr is truly an original filmmaker, with vision. I am curious to see what he will do next.

Watch him.
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9/10
This is an amazing film that deserves all of it's praise
divinethomas2 September 2005
I watch movies for a living, picking out which ones are good enough to distribute... Tossing aside those that don't make the cut. I'm not saying that I know more than anyone else based on this, I'm just leading you to how I came to watch "The Gospel of Lou"... Anyways... So many bad movies land on my desk and I actually sit through all of them. I don't actually "watch" everything, usually I just look over at the TV occasionally while I'm working the scan for production value, performance, and how well the story is being presented. If something catches my eye I'll take the time to watch it. "Lou" drew me in during the first few minutes where I closed my laptop and wheeled my chair over to the TV so I could completely tune in. Needless to say I was enthralled throughout the whole movie. The story is told well, the characters are either endearing or repulsive (depending of course on the actor and directors intention for the character) and all very well played. At times I caught occasional amateur mistakes in the camera work and editing, but the emotional nature of the story make these faults easy to dismiss. I've heard other people's comments say that at times the film brought tears to their eyes, other time extreme elation... I was laughing one minute and crying the next and was incredibly touched by this movie. Sadly I was unable to acquire it because I was - as the saying goes - a week late and a dollar short. That's the way it goes sometimes... but at least I had the pleasure of seeing this one and I can't wait to see what kind of response it gets. Good luck and great fortune to you Bret Carr (if you read this), you are without a doubt a talent to watch for.
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10/10
An unforgettable story of an unforgettable character, Lou Benedetti
sp-419 May 2005
This miracle of a movie is one of those films that has a lasting, long term effect on you. I've read a review or two from angry people who I guess are either republicans or child beaters, and their extremist remarks speak of the films power to confront people with their own darkest secrets. No such piece of art has ever combined laughter and tears in me before and that is the miracle of the movie. The realism of the movie and it's performance by Bret Carr is not to be missed. The very nature of it's almost interactive effect, will cause people to leave the theater either liberated or questioning their very identity. Bravo on the next level of cinema.
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9/10
Very inspirational
fabiana-928 May 2005
I haven't watched the movie yet, but can't wait to see it! It seems very interesting and inspirational. It was one of the most interesting trailers I've ever seen: the questions it posed really stopped me and made me think, the unique approach to the sport of boxing as a metaphor for the "battle within"... thank god somebody is hitting another angle with the boxing thing. This film looks so fresh and smart. And the actor is really hot. I especially enjoyed the short clip with the actor from the Rocky movies, really clever. I thought that the topic selected-overcoming adversities and childhood traumas-is timeless, and god knows a lot of people need it. Bring it on.
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9/10
It is a brilliant, creative masterpiece with the power to change lives!
robert-69316 May 2005
On rare occasions a film comes along that has the power to expand the mind, warm the heart and touch the very soul. "LOU" is such a film. I got "LOU" from my wife who got it from a neighbor who is in the film business. She watched it for a second time with me. We were both enthralled. Her as if for the first time again.

"LOU" is a magical piece designed to send you back to the moment at which all of your dramas started taking place. It does this while being relentlessly entertaining. Bret Carr's acting and pacing as a director do not let you look away from the screen. He crafts a character which disarms with a bugs bunny like, stuttering innocence, but warmly carried with such underplayed sincerity that you forget you're watching a movie. When the epiphany hits during the brilliant climax, I saw my wife in tears for the second time.

As a life coach, I facilitate individual growth and transformation, and this film is a "must see" for life coaches and anyone seeking their own personal growth and transformation. It is a brilliant, creative masterpiece with the power to change lives!
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10/10
A film that forces you to look inward
Cynzmyname24 March 2006
Anyone who doesn't like this film is one who is afraid to explore his or her own demons. This film does make the viewer a little uncomfortable at times, but that is its intention. It asks you to look at your own life and confront the obstacles head on like Lou eventually does. It asks you to overcome the fear of perception and become who you are meant to be. Bret Carr holds up a mirror unlike any filmmaker has. The intention and the message is clear and profound. People's apprehension about this film stems only from their own insecurities. An open-minded viewer takes this inspirational message and runs with it. Sometimes a life- changing realization DOES come in a flash -- a light bulb going on. This story is real and changes the lives if its viewers in a real way.
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9/10
Resoloution by way of "Revoloution" previously titled "Gospel of Lou"
cali-127 February 2006
It came by surprise. . .the impact & resoloution this film had on my automatic way of being reactive to people & situations. Most vividly was the stirring of the emotion anger. Much like the way a spoiled child would be when reacting to not getting their way. . .a temper tantrum if you will. Thinking I was hiding this anger from others was the most ridiculous farce of all. What was this costing me? Soooo much love. . .sooo many blessings. Now I'm present to how incredible humbling myself feels, and having an ongoing attitude of gratitude for life. . .for what is happening in the moment, without my wild expectations for life to be a particular way, the way I think life or people "should" be. This film has contributed to the freedom I now feel to connect with others, without limits & expectations. . .and to connect with genuine love. . .without fear of loss. . .just to love first, and accept what love is given.
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Revoloution changed how i think about my own accomplishments
hbudman12 March 2006
I was lucky enough to see an advanced copy of RevoLOUtion and it truly changed how I think about my accomplishments and goals in life and how I got there. The story that Bret Carr introduces to viewers is a emotional and touching one. You immediately feel sympathy for this character due to his inability to communicate. I now view my life is a different light. I consider myself a good communicator and believe I present myself in a professional manner, however RevoLOUtion showed me that the attitude I present to the public is a direct result to the amount of pressure and stress that I put on myself, what I perceive my parents put on me, even though they had done nothing.

The passion from Bret Carr and the strength that he shows through the movie reminds me of the strength I put into my work and the passion I show towards everything I do, just like the character of Lou did in the film.

In regards to other comments, the flashbacks were done with great cinema-graphic care. The use of the voices coming from his head and showing the hurt and the pain Lou was going through was shown in the best possible way. It's a great story of triumph and of passion and that's what we need nowadays.
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