Elmer Gantry

Review:

Just before the opening seconds of the film come onto the screen, a public service announcement quickly scrolls, warning the viewer of the subject matter, and suggests that the film is not suitable for impressionable children. Right away, one can get a sense of how controversial and ultimately important the release of this film actually was. Burt Lancaster gives one of the most charismatic, lively performances I have ever seen. This film holds no tricks, the content is all in the beautifully crafted screenplay by Richard Brooks, who brings a unique flare to the direction of this dialogue heavy drama, creating a swiftly paced 2 and a half hour joy ride of quality cinema. Burt Lancaster’s portrayal of the title character Elmer Gantry is not the only power house of a performance in the film. Roughly an hour and a half into the movie we are introduced to a quick witted prostitute Lulu Bains, played by academy award winner Shirley Jones. In the end, the film presents us with an overwhelmingly relevant message, about the ridiculousness and dangers in allowing one person or group of people to have religious power when they themselves forget the fact that they are human beings themselves.

****/****

Here is one of my favorite scenes from the film: