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The Gospel

Play trailer Poster for The Gospel PG 2005 1h 43m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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32% Tomatometer 37 Reviews 75% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
While he was once on the way to becoming a minister, David Taylor (Boris Kodjoe) instead chose to become a popular music star, and the hedonism that followed turned his father against him. But despite the gulf between them, David comes home when he finds out that his father is sick. At the church David once stood to inherit, he finds that the Rev. Charles (Idris Elba), who has been groomed to shepherd the congregation after his father's retirement, has ideas that could ruin everything.
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The Gospel

The Gospel

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Critics Consensus

While it features outstanding musical numbers, The Gospel reduces a series of worthy themes -- faith, family, forgiveness -- to soapy, banal clichés.

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Critics Reviews

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Marrit Ingman Austin Chronicle The gospel performances recommend the movie most highly; otherwise it's not due for much praise. Rated: 2/5 Oct 22, 2005 Full Review Michael Rechtshaffen The Hollywood Reporter The soapy, cliche-ridden script aside, the picture is a technical mess of awkward framing and choppy editing that puts a dispiriting damper on all that uplifting music. Oct 15, 2005 Full Review Bob Townsend Atlanta Journal-Constitution When the music isn't pounding in sanctified syncopation, the look and the dialogue of The Gospel are a lot like what you might see and hear on daytime TV. Rated: C Oct 15, 2005 Full Review Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com "The Gospel" is a clich-filled movie with low production values that says nothing significant about gospel music or its core values. Rated: D Apr 19, 2009 Full Review Joe Lozito Big Picture Big Sound Rated: 2/4 Jul 14, 2007 Full Review Kam Williams Princeton Town Topics While The Gospel's faith-laced dialogue might annoy non-Christians, the plot mostly explores themes of a universal nature. Recommended to members of any faith for the stirring, onscreen performance of Grammy-winner Yolanda Adams. Rated: 3.5/4 May 25, 2007 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member All ages admitted; containing funny moments!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review Audience Member The Gospel is a gorgeous film, one the whole family will enjoy. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/14/23 Full Review Audience Member it was pretty good for a christian wibe, near to tyler perry's laughs but still yet so far Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review Audience Member I love this movie, it is very INSPIRATIONAL. It will touch your heart. A FOOT-STOMPING, HAND-CLAPPING GOOD TIME. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member Faith-based films are difficult. Rarely are they as well made as 'The Mission' or 'The Passion', but they can pack an emotional punch despite their smaller budgets (see also, 'Fireproof' and 'Facing the Giants'). This film tries to do too much. It takes the prodigal son approach to the story, but tries to tie in too many subplots that the audience just gets lost in the mess. Then it tries to cram a bunch of gospel numbers in, but never gives an emotional payoff. Sure, it's really nice to see the likes of Yolanda Adams and Martha Munizzi on screen with actors like Boris Kodjoe (Resident Evil: Afterlife) and Idris Elba (Prometheus), but their presence doesn't have a solid grounding. It's almost as if the producers said, "Let's throw together a generic movie, but have a few well-known gospel singers in the mix." That's essentially what the movie boils down to. There are some good messages about forgiveness and ministry thrown in there for good measure, but it never amounts to anything truly substantive. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/18/23 Full Review Audience Member the guys were pretty hot.....movie was ehh..... Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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Rob Hardy

Director

Boris Kodjoe

David Taylor

Idris Elba

Reverend Charles Frank

Clifton Powell

Bishop Fred Taylor

Aloma Wright

Ernestine

Donnie McClurkin

Minister Hunter

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The Gospel

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Movie Info

Synopsis While he was once on the way to becoming a minister, David Taylor (Boris Kodjoe) instead chose to become a popular music star, and the hedonism that followed turned his father against him. But despite the gulf between them, David comes home when he finds out that his father is sick. At the church David once stood to inherit, he finds that the Rev. Charles (Idris Elba), who has been groomed to shepherd the congregation after his father's retirement, has ideas that could ruin everything.
Director
Rob Hardy
Producer
Will Packer
Screenwriter
Rob Hardy
Distributor
Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co
Rainforest Productions
Rating
PG (Thematic Elements|Suggestive Material)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 7, 2005, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA)
$15.8M
Runtime
1h 43m
Sound Mix
Surround
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