Machine Gun Preacher
Gala Presentation
Director: Marc Forester
Gerard Butler gives the best performance of his career in the true story of Sam Childers, an ex-con biker who finds Jesus and devotes his life to missionary work with orphans in war torn Sudan. Director Marc Forester (Finding Neverland, Quantum of Solace) works way too hard to tug on the heartstrings at times and the film takes its sweet time getting to the point (not very much happens plot-wise for the first 40 minutes, but it is still entertaining), but Butler is simply electric as a man who stood by his convictions no matter what side of the law he was on. Michelle Monaghan is good, but slightly wasted as Childers’ wife. Michael Shannon fares much better as the drug addicted best friend.
Rating: *** (out of 5 stars):
Showing:
September 11 at 6:30 p.m. at Roy Thompson Hall
September 16 at 12 p.m. at the Scotiabank