The true-life story of boxer-turned-priest. When an injury ends his amateur boxing career, Stuart Long moves to Los Angeles to find money and fame. While scraping by as a supermarket clerk, he meets Carmen, a Sunday school teacher who seems immune to his bad-boy charm. Determined to win her over, the longtime agnostic starts going to church to impress her. However, a motorcycle accident leaves him wondering if he can use his second chance to help others, leading to the surprising realization that he's meant to be a Catholic priest.
Acting
Wahlberg's complete physical transformation and unexpected vulnerability.
Writing
Ross's script avoids preaching while taking faith seriously.
Practical Effects
Wahlberg gained 30 pounds—no fat suit, just commitment.
Director
Rosalind Ross
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Wahlberg spent six years trying to get this made, financing it himself when studios passed. He essentially willed this movie into existence.
Mel Gibson playing a distant father to a religious son is... a choice, given his public controversies and own complicated Catholicism.
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