Themes: Redemption, Musician's Life, Crisis of Faith
Main Cast: Boris Kodjoe, Clifton Powell, Idris Elba, Nona Gaye, Keshia Knight Pulliam
Release Year: 2005
Country: US
Run Time: 103 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG
Plot
Close friends become unexpected rivals as they struggle to keep their spiritual home alive in this musical drama from writer and director Rob Hardy. David (Michael J. Pagan) and Frank (Sean Nelson) are two close friends who are members of the same Baptist church in Atlanta. The teenagers have developed a deep and abiding faith in Christ, and both aspire to become ministers some day; David, who has also become a star vocalist with the choir, is thought to have a head start since his father is the congregation's pastor, Bishop Taylor (Clifton Powell). However, David's faith is shaken when his mother dies while giving birth to another child, and when Bishop Taylor fails to arrive at the hospital in time, David runs away from home, turning his back on his father and his church. Fifteen years later, aging Bishop Taylor has announced he's retiring, and Frank (Idris Elba), now a reverend, seems poised to take his place. However, the church is in dire financial shape, and no one is sure how long Rev. Frank's flock will have a church to call home. Meanwhile, David (Boris Kodjoe) has used his musical talents to become a top-selling R&B singer, and his latest hit record, "Let Me Undress You," suggests he's given up on the faith of his youth. But David has been undergoing a spiritual crisis, and when he learns his father is ailing and the church is in dire shape, he returns to Atlanta in hopes of finding himself and keeping the church afloat. Not everyone regards this as good news, though; Rev. Frank, who sees his position in the church as a stepping stone to bigger things in the gospel music business and establishing a high-profile ministry, is not eager to share the spotlight with David, especially when the prodigal star begins organizing a large-scale fundraiser for the church. The Gospel features musical contributions from a number of leading gospel artists, including Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, and Yolanda Adams. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Keshia Knight Pulliam - Maya; Omar Gooding - Wesley; Michael J. Pagan - Young David; Sean Nelson; Dwayne Boyd; Aloma Wright - Ernestine; Fred Hammond; Donnie McClurkin - Minister Hunter; Pastor Hezekiah Walker; Yolanda Adams; Tamyra Gray - Rain; Delores Winans; Sierra McClain - Youth in Children's Choir; China Anne McClain - Alexis; Lauryn McClain - Youth in Children's Choir
Credit
Bernard Bronner - Associate Producer, Robi Reed - Casting, Shayla "Shay Latte" Stevens - Choreography, Paul A. Simmons - Costume Designer, Angi Bones - First Assistant Director, Rob Hardy - Director, Fernando Villena - Editor, Fred Hammond - Executive Producer, Holly Davis-Carter - Executive Producer, Dianne Ashford - Line Producer, Stanley A. Smith - Composer (Music Score), Akinah Rahmaan - Musical Direction/Supervision, Ali Muhammad - Musical Direction/Supervision, Kirk Franklin - Songwriter, Frank Galline - Production Designer, Matt MacCarthy - Cinematographer, William Packer - Producer, Whit Norris - Sound/Sound Designer, Sandy Gendler - Sound Editor, Guss Williams - Stunts Coordinator, Rob Hardy - Screenwriter, Mary Stacy - Set Decorator
David Taylor was soon to become a young minister but when tragedy strikes, the loss of his mother, he eventually turns away from God and his father's church, whom later becomes a top of the billboards pop star. He returns to the church a few years later to find the once-powerful congregation in disarray.
Now Behold The Lamb (Tamyra Gray, feat. Idris Elba Serman & Clifton Powell Parable)
Put Your Hands Together (Fred Hammond and Natalie Wilson)
Reception
Produced on a budget of US$4 million, The Gospel reported grosses of $15,778,152 at the North American box office.[1]
According to the Rotten Tomatoes web site, 34% of movie reviews of The Gospel were positive and 66% negative (12 positive, 23 negative).[2]
The film received three nominations in the Black Reel Awards of 2006: Idris Elba was nominated for Best Actor, Nona Gaye was nominated for Best Actress, and Rob Hardy was nominated for Best Screenplay, Original or Adapted.
