Machine Gun Preacher
Dir: Marc Forster
2011
***
Marc Forster is a good director, all of his films have a certain flair about them but unfortunately, and he has little to do with this, most of them I find poorly written. Machine Gun Preacher has bucked that trend somewhat though in my opinion, as the true story of Sam Childers is fascinating stuff. There is no doubt that Sam Childers is having a positive effect in Sudan, he's saved countless lives when others have stood by or simply forgotten them. I'm an atheist so can't say much about his work preaching, seems anyone can just open a Church and say what they like but I can't really knock the guy after all the good work he's done. However, his methods are worrying. The whole story felt justified until right at the end when the real Childers (played rather well by Gerard Butler in the film) asks the audience whether it matters HOW he gets the job done, just as long as it get done. I found it to be a pretty eerie moment, as the film makes him out to be a caring guy trying to better himself, not a gun crazy wannabe solder of fortune. Had we been fooled right until the end credits? Hard to say. Was it Marc Forster's intention to leave the film with an unexpected jolt of uncertainty? I'm afraid it left me a little empty and unsure whether his work is good in the long run but it is what it is and credit to Forster for keeping it balanced and keeping it honest.