After the death of his mother, David "D.T." Taylor, a promising gospel singer, turns to a career in show business and becomes an R&B sensation. When his estranged father, a Pastor in a Southern church, takes ill, David must return home to confront the family, friends and community he left behind. This is the foundation for "The Gospel", writer-director Rob Hardy's promising but flawed take on "The Prodigal Son".
At the very least, a film called "The Gospel" had better feature many rousing choral numbers. And in this regard the film does not disappoint. In fact, "Gospel" features some serious vocal talent: Yolanda Adams, Fred Hammond, Martha Munizzi. If only Mr. Hardy could content himself to keep his camera in one place. This director is so enamored of the jump-cut that he actually films a funeral in the same style as a church revival. I'm sure there were some good takes that he could have used without the relentless editing.
It's possible he recognized that the non-musical sections of the film needed some kind of a shot in the arm. And his dialogue wasn't going to do it. The ensemble cast does an admirable job trying to create characters around scenes that sometimes seem randomly placed. Omar Gooding (Cuba's brother) gives a strong performance, as does real-life gospel singer Donnie McClurkin. Nona Gaye and former "American Idol" contestant Tamyra Gray fare slightly less well in ill-defined roles.
Perhaps the most solid performance in the film comes from Idris Elba as Reverend Frank, next in line for the role of Pastor. Frank is a good man, with a firm grasp on scripture, but he has his own demons to fight when ego gets in the way of his preaching. Mr. Elba does such a fine job with the role that you wish the film had centered on him instead of Boris Kodjoe's David. I can appreciate Mr. Kodjoe's physical charms, but as David he must carry scenes of loss and redemption which are far beyond his current range.
Aside from the story of a wayward soul returning to his father's church, there are some interesting peeks into the politics behind the altar. But for all its singing and praising, "The Gospel" never becomes anything more than first-rate musical numbers strung together by sub-par dialogue.
While there is very little spirit in the film's spirituality, there is a reason, at least, to have faith. While "The Gospel" isn't perfect, it's a glimpse of a community that is ill-represented on film. And it gives you faith that someday this material will get the treatment it deserves.
