Worth: $12.00
FilmInk rates movies out of $20 — the score indicates the amount we believe a ticket to the movie to be worth
Cast:
John Corbett, Cara Buono, Myles Moore, Nelson Lee, Barry Corbin, David Keith, Angela Fox, Chonda Pierce and Gregory Alan Williams
Intro:
A film with heart, faith and resolve...
A film with heart, faith and resolve, All Saints tells the inspirational true story of salesman-turned-pastor Michael Spurlock (John Corbett). We follow Michael and his efforts, along with that of his multiracial congregation, to save their tiny church in Smyrna, Tennessee, from ruin at the hands of would-be developers.
Michael’s responsibility to sell the All Saints Episcopal Church is compromised when his small congregation welcomes numerous Karen (kuh-REN) refugees from Burma, former farmers and labourers seeking solace in the house of God. Torn between his obligations to his superiors and his parish, Michael’s inner turmoil reflects in the world around him, as he eagerly tries to discern his own ambition from the will of God. He hatches a plan, with the help of the joyful, caring and courageous Ye Win (Nelson Lee), to turn the fertile land surrounding the church into a farm, both providing additional food to the Karen and creating revenue to keep the church afloat. However, things do not go strictly according to plan, as growing financial burden and extreme weather threaten the harvest and subsequently their hold on the church.
The film teaches audiences that it is through friendship and community that we can triumph in the face of adversity, a message never more important than in today’s global context. The world onscreen shows how society is connected beyond a building, and hence a faith, orientation or country of origin. Thus, the unification of the community through compassion, love and respect, “is what God intended all along.”
The moving and resonant narrative is coupled with highly symbolic and masterful cinematography, courtesy of Eduardo Enrique Mayen and a delightful, multilayered performance by Barry Corbin, as resident “old crank” Forrest. Filming on location at the real All Saints Church in Tennessee and the inclusion of legitimate members of the community, adds to the film’s realism and provides a unique visual aesthetic.
Although the film is rather dialogue heavy and multiple characters remain two-dimensional, All Saints successfully uses the cinematic medium to discuss key social and political issues and nurtures our desire to belong. It should prove to be an enjoyable watch for older audiences.
