Reviews (10)

Apropos
What better movie for a priest to review than 'Mass Appeal'? Directed by Glenn Jackson, and co-starring veteran actors Jack Lemmon and Charles Durning with relative newcomer Zeljko Ivanek, this story has influenced me in interesting ways.

Lemmon plays Father Farley, a jaded, settled Roman Catholic rector of a prominent parish, ultimately dis-satisfied with his lot in life but terrified nonetheless of losing it. Into this comfortable world steps an upstart seminarian Dolson (played by Ivanek), who has more principle than tact, and more passion than people skills.

The rector and the seminarian end up being placed together in a mentoring situation by the seminary dean, Mons. Burke (Durning), an autocratic moralist with strict rules on priestly formation. Various issues resound in the relationships of each of these characters with each other, the seminary, the congregation, and ultimately with their own destinies. Farley's issues with past abuse, Dolson's life on the wild side prior to seminary, and Burke's paranoia all enter the interplay of church politics and the discernment of a spiritual calling.

Farley is both irritated by and inspired by the seminarian. The seminarian takes a stand for honesty which costs him his appointment. The dean refuses to listen to anyone, including his friend Farley, and begins to question Farley's integrity as a priest as well.

Farley learns that it is never to late to hear a call, and that what he thought was his call in fact was a facade. Dolson finally realises that the in-your-face approach to public relations is not very pastoral, but his listening skills far exceed those around him, and he becomes trusted by Farley. Alas, the dean--what becomes of him? We never know.

Where God leads is a difficult question, with no easy answers, and we can spend much of our time following our version of that vocation without really ever touching the substance of it (as did Father Farley). We can be so overzealous for it that we might burn it out before it comes into being, rather like a forced hot-house flower that blooms prematurely and then dies too soon (similar to Dolson's experience).

This is an interesting film which brings up issues of polity, morality, reconciliation and redemption, themes that are far more prevalent in life than we would ordinarily think. This movie may not have mass appeal but can be enjoyed and, perhaps, give insight to all viewers, be they Roman Catholic, other denominations of Christian, of other religions, or even no religion at all.

Lemmon at his sourly best.
Humphrey Bogart, Bing Crosby, Spencer Tracy, Montgomery Clift, Jack Lemmon--what do they have in common? All played priests, but no one more convincingly than Lemmon in this story about a popular, "bourgeois," crowd-pleasing conservative priest who is suddenly challenged by a young liberal seminarian representing honesty, forthrightness, and social change. The "message" primarily concerns the old dog, popular priest learning to change his ways, while the radical young seminarian also absorbs lessons about the real world and dealing with people. But forget about the story and its themes. As a movie, "Mass Appeal" is 3 stars; as a script 4; as a vehicle for one of the screen's most colorful, personable, irresistibly charismatic actors, it's 5 all the way. Here's proof positive: though the story calls for Lemmon to play the part of the rather "bad" guy--someone who lies and schmoozes and sugar-coats the Gospel in order to fill the offering plates each Sunday--it's his character and not the seminarian's who rivets our attention, maintains our interest, and inhabits our memories long after the film is over. The truth-telling, liberal, activist seminarian, on the other hand, is little more than a "generic" character cast from a late 1960s mold. The point is that neither of the parts is especially distinguished on the basis of the writing alone; rather, it's Lemmon's unique ability to give a "face" to his role that makes both his character as well as the film work.

Simply Amazing!
This is one of the finest films I've ever seen. As a seminarian myself, I am convinced this film should be required viewing for all seminarians, priests, and all formators in the pre-seminary and seminary systems. Jack Lemmon and Zeljko Ivanek give poweful performances as Father Tim Farley and Deacon Mark Dolson; Lemmon's character is a wildly popular but complacent parish priest. Ivanek, in the role of a newly ordained transitional deacon, plays the idealistic and brash seminarian who conflicts with Fr. Farley's "song and dance" theology. As the two interact, a friendship is forged and the aging priest rediscovers his priestly vocation from the prodding of the young deacon. Ultimately, Fr. Farley finds himself in the position of defending young Dolson against the homophobic attack of the seminary rector.
While the theology of this film is not 100% sound, the overall theme is absolutely solid and gives you a lot of truth to think about. Whether it be Deacon Dolson's sordid past or the laziness of Father Farley's priestly ministry, the issues addressed are poignant and powerful. You simply must see this film!

Mass Appeal? Massive Lawsuits!
Unfortunately too many Catholic dioceses took the advice of this movie. Now they're being sued by the victims of homosexual priests,who seduced them when they were teenagers.

Splendid Comedy About Church & Homosexuality
***POSSIBLE SPOILERS***

Father Farley (Jack Lemmon) is certainly the most popular clergyman around. His congregation adores him and his dialogue sermons are well attended. So he is not exactly thrilled when young seminarian Mark Dolson (Zeljko Ivanek) takes the word "dialogue" literally (Should women become priests?) and transforms his church into a political platform.

Mark is something of a problem, for himself and others. He would give anything to become a priest, but his moral is sometimes selective: He is filled with indignation that his sister is in love with a married man, yet his own past is not immaculate...

Being popular, providing "mass appeal", father Farley can permit himself an occasional slip of tongue and little weaknesses ("It's only wine. Making wine was Jesus's first miracle"). Yet, he owes much of his comfortable life-style (playing golf, driving a mercedes) to his unique ability to crawl, especially before Monsignor Burke (Charles Durning). And it's so easy to find excuses: a broken marriage or a potential abortion are always at hand when he isn't in the mood to spend an evening with his superior. Harmless little lies...

But now Monsignor Burke is concerned about two seminarians who apparently maintain homosexual relations, and instructs Farley to , well, spy ont them. Farley is furious at the thought of having to do this dirty work, but his fear to be pushed off to Iowa or some other province is a stronger driving force.

Just watch the following sequence to understand why Lemmon is considered by so many people (including me) as the greatest actor who ever lived. While Mark reproaches Burke with homophoby ("St. John always referred to himself as the one whom Jesus loved. Jesus was also a man! And he asked for love!"), Farley tries at once to be in and out of the room, to mediate and to be invisible, to help the boy, but without falling into disgrace himself.

The only consequence of Marks outburst of fury is, that Monsignor Burke now suspects him of being gay himself. Still, he is willing to postpone his exclusion from the seminary for a month, under the condition that father Farley takes him under his wings. In Farleys opinion, Mark is sincere but needs guidance. But Mark is not enthusiastic: "You're popular. That doesn't mean you can teach me what I have to learn."

Before Farley allows Mark to give a sermon to his congregation, he has to learn "charm" and "technique". What if he doesn't please the audience? As a precaution, Farley introduces him as a "new James Dean", an appropriate comparison, since Mark manages to scandalize many church-goers ("I come here because of you. I don't want to be preached to" says a lady to Farley).

Farley's lessons about what a priest has to learn (How to console mourning relatives?) glide imperceptibly into a confession. The moment when Farley reveals that he was a beaten child is a shock for the viewer ("My mother remarried. I hate her new husband. I cry myself to sleep because I think that she will go to hell"). But now his lonely life as a young priest ("Men ignored me. Women were painfully polite to me") is over! Never will he sacrifice his comfortable home, HIS people. Not for Mark, not for anyone!

One evening, during dinner, he draws Mark out about his sexual past ("Have you ever seen Paris?"). Mark cannot lie to Farley, and he cannot lie to Monsgnor Burke (although Farley implores him to). Burkes reaction is what was to be expected: He throws Mark out. Father Farley has now to make the decision of a lifetime. Can he rise above himself?

The screenplay (Bill C. Davis, from his play) is nothing short of brilliant. Funny, yet touching, filled with humor, but not for the dumb and dumber but for smart and discriminating viewers. The beautiful music is by Bill Conti.

The performances are impeccable, all actors shine, but it's really the star who makes this film. I have been exposed to method-acting during my whole life now. I hear them mumble. I see them stare. The most famous exponent of this species has just two facial expressions: either teeth clenched or mugging, but this with great self-assurance. So, if I want to see REALLY great acting from time to time I have to rely on Lemmon. Just watch the expression in his eyes, when, at some point, he is driven to slap the boy in the face: this moment he is overwhelmed by his own, sad childhood memories. Or, when his "dutch courage" (from wine) enables him to confront Monsignor Burke with the words: "Celibacy is celibacy. Even if your thing is goats!". It's such a finely tuned and precise performance, so colourful, dazzling and full of verve, that I still cannot understand why this film was so overlooked, by audiences and academy-members alike.

I can recommand this film to everyone. It's a masterpiece. ... Read more

Amazon.com

A doomed Macaulay Culkin becomes the object of affection for a little girl (Anna Chlumsky), estranged from her widowed father (Dan Aykroyd). This somewhat daring premise has various emotional buffers to keep young viewers from going into shock from Culkin's demise, but the film is also not shut off from real feelings. And while the story remains safely predictable, at the end of the day it is still a bittersweet experience. Culkin's performance is okay in that somewhat mannered way of his post-Home Alone career, but Anna Chlumsky is unusually sophisticated in her understanding of her character and situation. Aykroyd and Jamie Lee Curtis are perfectly stable as the kids' single parents. Directed by Howard Zieff (Private Benjamin). The DVD release has a full-screen presentation, Dolby sound, theatrical trailer, and optional French and Spanish soundtracks. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (57)

MY GIRL.
I love MY GIRL. It's about an 11-year-old tomboy named Vada, who is growing up in the 70s. She never met her mother because her mother died when she was born. Vada lives with her widowed father who owns a funeral parlor and the funeral parlor happens to be Vada's home, as well. Vada is obsessed with death because she sees dead people coming into her home every day. Her best friend is a boy named Tommy J. (Macaulay Culkin) who is allergic to just about anything you can think of. Vada is also in love with her school teacher. When Vada's father hires a cosmatologist to put makeup on the dead people (and ends up falling in love with her), Vada soon starts to learn the true meaning of life. This flick also stars Dan Aykroyd as Vada's father, Jamie Lee Curtis as Shelly, the woman Vada's father falls in love with, and newcomer Anna Chlumsky as Vada. This is a great coming-of-age story that is very moving and at the same time, enjoyable and entertaining. With an all-star cast and serpurb acting, MY GIRL is a great movie to watch anytime! I also recommend the sequel, MY GIRL 2, which is just as good. If not, better!

My Top 10--Bittersweet Comedy
'My Girl,' is one of my top ten family comedy films since they've been making movies. It ranks as the most entertaining, heartwarming stories about coming-of-age and apply yourself parenthood. About a mannerly, awkward little guy named Thomas (Macaulay Culkin) becomes the object of 11 year-old Vada Sultenfuss' affections (Amy Chlumsky). Vada is distant from her father, Harry (Dan Aykroyd). Vada never knew her mother. Her mother died when she was born. So, naturally in such emotional surroundings, her dad runs a funeral home. She is obsessed with death. Things begin to see light when a make-up artist, Shelly Devoto (Jamie Lee Curtis) answers Harry's job want ad. She's one smart cookie who gets Harry to realize that life isn't just death...don't ignore the living..especially his daughter. Vada is very mature for her age and has a kind of wisdom for someone her age. There are some funny lines here and there. My favorite is Vada and Thomas walking home from school. Vada asks, "Why do you think people want to get married?" and Thomas replies "When you get old, you just have to". You can feel the emotion after Thomas is fatally stung by a hive of bees. It's easy for younger kids to view it, as it's geniusly pieced together to filter the aftershock. Vada must realize her best friend has gone, and her look at life and death had changed. She gives a lovely eulogy about, "The Weeping Willow....he left one day/Is it because he could not stay/He found shelter in your shade/...../ for there is something to calm your fears; / If you think death has ripped you forever apart / I know he'll always be in your heart." In the end, Harry and Shelby become capable parents for Vada. 'My Girl' is a bittersweet tale of growing up and single parents becoming a family again that the whole family will enjoy. It'll make you wanna cry and smile all at the same time. I got that title soundtrack song in my head by The Temptations that won't go away :), ASIN: B00000284Z. If you like this film you'll like it's sequel much more, 'My Girl 2.'

No less than the best film to reach our screens...ever!
The fist time i watched this film i vowed i was going to change my name by depol to Veda Sultanfuss, get a bike with streamers, a boy as a best mate an make sure he didn't go near bee's. this film tackles a lot of really good issues from a childs perspective. Veda has the trauma of believing she is responsible for her mothers death to deal with, along with the fact her father (harry) pays more attention to his new girlfriend than her and then to top it all of her best mate pops his cloggs! i cry ever time i watch it even thogh i know every line, pause and song.
its funny, touching and a good sunday afternoon family film.
if i hadn't of grown up with this film i hate to think what kind of person i'd have turned out to be =D...x

The Best Drama Movie Ever
I love My Girl that movie made me cry so much especially when Macaulay Culikn's Charactar died on the movie is Thomas J.That Vada's father got remarried & she lost her best friend that he got stung to death by bees.This the Best Movie Ever Made.

i luv it
hi this is katie i luv this movie i think it is sad when
thomas j gets killed at least i think that is wat his name is but i luv the movie i think it was cute i think every 1 should go out today and buy it ... Read more

Reviews (29)

Roll on the floor laughs!
OMG!!! I can't believe I finally found it !!! I've been looking for this movie for almost 20 years! I first seen it on video back in the days of BetaMax VCRs. We sold our Beta long ago and the movies we had for it with it. I haven't been able to find this one on VHS, I even tried to have Hastings order it and they couldn't find it either.

It's an absolute must see, my personal comedy favorite! This movie is hillarious with continuous jokes. You have to watch it several times, because I found new things in it every time I saw it (maybe I missed stuff while I was rolling on the floor holding my belly because it hurt so much from laughing).

Mark Blankfield plays the shy Dr. Daniel Jekhyll who drinks this concoction that doesn't turn him into a murderous monster but actually into this hillarious, lovable while annoying sex-crazed potion-junkie. He hooks up with this punk-singer/prostitute chick who work's at Madam Woo Woo's and comes to Jekhyll at the Hospital for help. Great psychedelic effects and non-stop comedy. Not recommended for little kids, though.

watch this comedy classic!!
I watched this video for the first time with a bunch of friends. I still can't get over how hard we laughed, even for weeks after watching this movie. Because this movie is filled with hilarious one-liners that can be eclipsed by the extremely outrageous visuals and great physical comedy, you'll want to see this movie over and over again. If you love to laugh and you appreciate absolute absurdity, you will want to buy this film NOW!!

"So have I got a problem or not?" SNOORRRT!
I've got a story for all of you about this movie: In 1982, at the tender age of eight, I was brought along by my ol' man to see this movie at the City Cinema Duplex on a Saturday Afternoon.

Now all that week in school, I had been bombarded by "Just Say No" propaganda geared to scare an urchin like me straight. They scared me a little TOO well. All that week, I was afraid some skeevy freak was gonna dose my Orange Juice with some Orange Sunshine and turn me -against my will- into a slobbering, murdering mutant scum like Tony Montana from "Scarface."

When I see Mark Blankfield, aka Dr. DANIEL Jekyll, dicing up some blow... er, a sample of his SERUM, I start getting nervous. Why would my pop bring me to some awful, AWFUL movie that plumbed the depths of the seedy underworld of NARCOTICS? Bear in mind I was eight, and had yet to learn of "Reefer Madness." Long story short: Blankfield snorts the blow and undergoes the hideous, diabolic metamorphosis INTO... Frank Zappa with gold chains and MOOD RINGS???

When he flashed his gold plated tooth with the "LOVE" engravement, I proceeded to laugh my baby-smooth ASS off. I even told my pop after the film, "That guy looked like one of your hippie friends!" That made my pop laugh even harder!

Bless this goofy little film! Blessed be the show-stopping number, "Hyde's Got Nothing to Hide!" And pity poor George "West Side Story" Chakiris for his hapless cameo! "J&K Together Again" helped me get over my paralyzing phobia of drugs. NO, I'm not a stoner. It's no classic, but it's a damned sight better than "Porky's" or "Police Academy!" THAT'S RIGHT, I SAID IT!!!

Mark Blankfield is da Shizzle, and he deserved a more rewarding comedic career. (I mean, CHEVY CHASE? Eyyyyuck!) I wish it would come out on DVD, 'cause seeing the original film release I KNOW there's cutscenes I don't have on VHS!

I say with great pride that I am addicted to this film for life!

Funny, funny, very funny.
I have been looking high and low for this movie and when I seen it last night I almost did hand stands, Thank you Amazon.com

Funniest Film ever!!!
Of course,I've seen the Film first in 1994 running on a german TV-Channel called "Kabelkanal".A friend of mine told me some scenes about it and I had to lough and lough.One Day later,I switched through the Channels,and saw the first scene!I couldn't believe:It runs at 15.00!I switched on the VCR and wondered,watching the film,"How could this be?".I had to lough and lough and lough and... in a short way:I saw the film about a hundred and fifty times (every time expecting a new joke!),untill I lost the video...That was in 1998,since then I'm searching for it... ... Read more

Reviews (57)

MY GIRL.
I love MY GIRL. It's about an 11-year-old tomboy named Vada, who is growing up in the 70s. She never met her mother because her mother died when she was born. Vada lives with her widowed father who owns a funeral parlor and the funeral parlor happens to be Vada's home, as well. Vada is obsessed with death because she sees dead people coming into her home every day. Her best friend is a boy named Tommy J. (Macaulay Culkin) who is allergic to just about anything you can think of. Vada is also in love with her school teacher. When Vada's father hires a cosmatologist to put makeup on the dead people (and ends up falling in love with her), Vada soon starts to learn the true meaning of life. This flick also stars Dan Aykroyd as Vada's father, Jamie Lee Curtis as Shelly, the woman Vada's father falls in love with, and newcomer Anna Chlumsky as Vada. This is a great coming-of-age story that is very moving and at the same time, enjoyable and entertaining. With an all-star cast and serpurb acting, MY GIRL is a great movie to watch anytime! I also recommend the sequel, MY GIRL 2, which is just as good. If not, better!

My Top 10--Bittersweet Comedy
'My Girl,' is one of my top ten family comedy films since they've been making movies. It ranks as the most entertaining, heartwarming stories about coming-of-age and apply yourself parenthood. About a mannerly, awkward little guy named Thomas (Macaulay Culkin) becomes the object of 11 year-old Vada Sultenfuss' affections (Amy Chlumsky). Vada is distant from her father, Harry (Dan Aykroyd). Vada never knew her mother. Her mother died when she was born. So, naturally in such emotional surroundings, her dad runs a funeral home. She is obsessed with death. Things begin to see light when a make-up artist, Shelly Devoto (Jamie Lee Curtis) answers Harry's job want ad. She's one smart cookie who gets Harry to realize that life isn't just death...don't ignore the living..especially his daughter. Vada is very mature for her age and has a kind of wisdom for someone her age. There are some funny lines here and there. My favorite is Vada and Thomas walking home from school. Vada asks, "Why do you think people want to get married?" and Thomas replies "When you get old, you just have to". You can feel the emotion after Thomas is fatally stung by a hive of bees. It's easy for younger kids to view it, as it's geniusly pieced together to filter the aftershock. Vada must realize her best friend has gone, and her look at life and death had changed. She gives a lovely eulogy about, "The Weeping Willow....he left one day/Is it because he could not stay/He found shelter in your shade/...../ for there is something to calm your fears; / If you think death has ripped you forever apart / I know he'll always be in your heart." In the end, Harry and Shelby become capable parents for Vada. 'My Girl' is a bittersweet tale of growing up and single parents becoming a family again that the whole family will enjoy. It'll make you wanna cry and smile all at the same time. I got that title soundtrack song in my head by The Temptations that won't go away :), ASIN: B00000284Z. If you like this film you'll like it's sequel much more, 'My Girl 2.'

No less than the best film to reach our screens...ever!
The fist time i watched this film i vowed i was going to change my name by depol to Veda Sultanfuss, get a bike with streamers, a boy as a best mate an make sure he didn't go near bee's. this film tackles a lot of really good issues from a childs perspective. Veda has the trauma of believing she is responsible for her mothers death to deal with, along with the fact her father (harry) pays more attention to his new girlfriend than her and then to top it all of her best mate pops his cloggs! i cry ever time i watch it even thogh i know every line, pause and song.
its funny, touching and a good sunday afternoon family film.
if i hadn't of grown up with this film i hate to think what kind of person i'd have turned out to be =D...x

The Best Drama Movie Ever
I love My Girl that movie made me cry so much especially when Macaulay Culikn's Charactar died on the movie is Thomas J.That Vada's father got remarried & she lost her best friend that he got stung to death by bees.This the Best Movie Ever Made.

i luv it
hi this is katie i luv this movie i think it is sad when
thomas j gets killed at least i think that is wat his name is but i luv the movie i think it was cute i think every 1 should go out today and buy it ... Read more