The Gospel (2005)

32% of critics liked it
(37 reviews)
76% of users liked it
(15,793 ratings)

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… More 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, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 43 min.
Directed By: Rob Hardy
Written By: Rob Hardy, William Packer
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Oct 7, 2005 Wide
On DVD: Jan 3, 2006
Studio: Screen Gems

Critic Reviews

Michael Rechtshaffen, 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.
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.
Scott Brown, Entertainment Weekly
It's a rich portrait of a church in transition.
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
I loved the music and I admired its good intentions. But there are just too many sub-professional touches for me to recommend the film.
Lisa Rose, Newark Star-Ledger
Voices soar in The Gospel, but the story drags.
Kyle Smith, New York Post
So doggedly positive that it amounts to a glossy version of a Sunday-school instructional film.
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
"The Gospel" is a cliché-filled movie with low production values that says nothing significant about gospel music or its core values.
Cynthia Fuchs, Common Sense Media
R&B star comes home to look after ailing family.
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.
Kam Williams, Upstage Magazine
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.
LaTonya Taylor, Christianity Today
A more-than-fine movie -- the kind that Christians who like to complain about Hollywood should support, and the kind that may appeal to people who aren't interested in church.
Christopher Smith, Bangor Daily News (Maine)
Hallelujah for the hymns! They save "The Gospel."
James Plath, Movie Metropolis
Believers feel that Gospel music has a saving power, and that may be true. It certainly saves this film.
Ed Gonzalez, Slant Magazine
If the Devil doesn't like this movie then he can just sit on a tack.
Marrit Ingman, Austin Chronicle
The gospel performances recommend the movie most highly; otherwise it's not due for much praise.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
An appealing and entertaining package that makes up for whatever it lacks in perfectly polished sheen in exuberance and passion for its subject and message.
Kim Morgan, Reel.com
Really, a musical would have been a much better idea.

Read all 17 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Bruce B

A good all around movie, About a Rap singer coming home to help his fathers church, meets a beautiful girl and changes his ways, for the girl or for the lord????? you decided. Put it in the collection